Theatre of Death

In a precision military operation four Palestinian child-hostages have been liberated from IDF cells, in the process of which two-hundred and seventy-four Israelis were killed. Multiple IDF terrorists were eliminated during the exercise. How would the UK's editorial gatekeepers have this hypothetical information relayed to a wider public?

What might be the 'message'- which with absolute certainty would be broadcast via the BBC- delivered by IDF Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari?

The instance never happened. Terrorised Palestinians never possessed the US weaponry with which to undertake such an operation, nor the military might, nor adequate US or UK drone footage, nor military supremacy over Israeli territory. Quite the reverse.

But, if such an incident had transpired, what would the wider population learn of the 'event' via its news media? What would the day's headlines be? US President Joe Biden would be dusted down and wheeled to the podium. What would be his message for Western ears?

Safe to assume, the evening news's imagery would not revolve around the smiling faces of the rescued children, in the grateful arms of their loving families. Reasonable to expect references to the likely unnamed 'four children' to frequently be prefixed by, 'merely,' 'just,' 'as few as,' 'only' or similarly diminutive adverbs or adverbial phrases. Little doubt that the imagery would be about as graphic as deemed editorially 'acceptable.' Each headlining repeat might well be preceded by a warning about the exceptionally graphic nature of the story. The imagery would be pushing at the boundaries of what currently passes for respectability. Licence to once again spread the disproven myth of beheaded babies would reignite.

The headline figure would far more likely be that of '274 Israeli victims.' Perhaps, the majority of news updates might not get so far as to even mention 'rescued children,' electing instead to concentrate upon the death toll and the unduly graphic imagery. Should 'rescued child-hostages' ever be permitted to squeak in the term 'hostages' will have been gleaned, the subject of their 'torture' would not be broached.

Britain's, and the US's ties with the State of Israel would benefit considerably! In a manner out of all proportion to the preceding eight month's Genocidal onslaught. Disproportionate segments of the day's news would be given over to the spokespeople of Israeli Government and the IDF. Daniel Hagari, or another such militia-man, would be afforded significant spotlight, under which to peddle the Israeli myth of, 'the most moral military on the planet.' The term 'Anti-semitism' would once again find itself widely sprayed upon the doubters, the non-lobby journalists, the marchers. Ministerial visits and photo-opportunities would ensue. Flights back and forth from the UK Cypriot base of Akrotiri would multiply. The desire to keep Akrotiri out of MSM headlines would be relaxed, maybe celebrated.

Parliamentary calls to ban Pro-Palestinian and Anti-Genocide marches would intensify! Demands that the language and certain phrases deployed amongst the marchers be legislated against would multiply. British Police Forces would be strongly urged to clamp down upon and further restrict events. Lord Walney, Lord Mann and Margaret Hodge would be booked to appear on TV and radio with increased frequency. Sir Keir Rodney Starmer- who's father was a tool-maker- might, once again, get away with stating that 'cutting off food, water, electricity was acceptable. ** Front bench droids would once again have their bigotry highlighted, unleashed!

Israel 'defending itself' would again be given the green light. Western arms would again flow with open endorsement. The death-toll would again accelerate, be more openly egged (cheered) on in both Houses, the Commons and the Lords.

* But, this did not happen! Instead two-hundred and seventy-four slaughtered Palestinians were routinely displaced by the four rescued Israeli hostages. Viewers were not shown footage of some of the in excess of 700 Israeli casualties being rushed into well-appointed Israeli hospitals, into the care of fully staffed and spotlessly clean wards and theatres, which did not anyway happen. Instead, in the absence of news camera-team footage- denied access by the IDF- imagery was substituted by phone images of sagging ceilings, shattered walls, smashed and trampled equipment, exhausted surgical teams operating upon the victims, ever wary of the next Israeli missile strike, bloodied child victims spread across the floors! David Lammy dons blinkers, once again unrestained!

News of two-hundred and seventy-four, and counting, Palestinian murders will swiftly be usurped with news of the General Election. Your chance to participate in the country's democracy. Which of two captured parties will prove victorious?

The 'game' of Israeli Genocide continues unchecked.

* The Guardian's Kenneth Roth questions the means by which the latest bout of Israeli slaughter was brought about.
** Novara's Polly Smythe has done some digging with regards to Labour's values under Sir Keir Starmer's new look party.