The Press in conflict / A return to the `intifada routine'

[GabysPoppy]

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=332864&contrassID=2&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y

Last Saturday, a prominent political caricature in
the Palestinian Authority daily Al-Hayat al-Jadida
showed a full moon, within which was a picture of
Hamas political branch leader Ismail Abu Shanab,
who was slain last Thursday in the Gaza Strip by
Israel Defense Force helicopters. The caption
under the cartoon read: "There's no full moon on a
dark night."

Night is used here as a metaphor
for the Palestinians' status.
The one ray of light is
provided by the moon - the moon
is a symbol used prominently by
Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

On the one hand, it seems
natural for a Palestinian
newspaper to lament the death
of a popular Palestinian figure. On the other
hand, Al-Hayat al-Jadida is the mouthpiece of
the Palestinian Authority and the Fatah
organization; the newspaper's key personnel,
including its editor, Hafez al-Barghouti, who
has close ties with PA Chairman Yasser Arafat,
promote the PLO and Fatah as the vanguard of
the national Palestinian struggle. But the
cartoon doesn't depict Arafat basking in the
moonlight, as the bright spot in a bleak
Palestinian picture. Instead, it highlights a
top Hamas figure, casting Abu Shanab as a
symbol of Palestinian fortitude and courage in
the battle against Israel's conquest.

snip

The entire article should be read for an understanding of what a "free press" means to the Palestinian leadership. It may also put into perspective some articles posted within these confines.

[newyorican]

1. That darn Palestinian media..

How dare they cover news in the WB and Gaza in such a fashion. They must follow accepted guidelines to be taken seriously. Hmmmpf!