Al-Dura and the “Public Secret” of Middle East Journalism
Color me cynical, but…
We also have to remember what happens “when” Karsenty is formally vindicated and what that means for the people who have perpetuated the imagery that has indeed has been cited for the rational for volumes of violence and murder throughout the world (the al Dura meme has metastasized that far).
To find Karsenty “innocent” of libel is to find Enderlin, France 2, and a bulk of the “MSM” who have bought into the meme guilty of something far far worse than sullying a faux journalist hack’s reputation. Do we really believe that this, in an “honor-shame culture,” would be allowed to stand especially when the state courts have already ruled once in favor of the big lie (and I must admit to still being gobsmacked when this new judge asked for the raw footage)? Even if the court would rule in Karsenty’s favor, would it retain legs among the people whose life-blood need for access to the region relies on them ignoring it? People still, afterall, believe that MS Word had a beta version floating around in a Vietnam War era National Guard office, and that one little old lady lost so many of her only home(s) during the Hezbollah-Israel war.
People expecting a major victory from this, I’m sorry to say, are practicing some serious wishful thinking.
This big lying dog will more than likely be left sleeping for the “greater good.” Al Dura is “dead.” The people who have been murdered in retaliation for it are certainly dead. The people yet to die in further acts of revenge for something that likely never happened… are on their own. Plus, the “Fake but accurate” rule may also win out the day. We “know” that the Israelis are blood thirsty people who kill kids for treats. We certainly know that the Palestinians are indispensible victims (and thus unpromotable victims – never to be given reprieve from their “benefactors”). Too many people are in this victim market to let the bottom fall out. The “higher truth” founded on politically correct prejudice and backed up by outrageous lies will prevail. To do anything else would be too much effort.
