During the current phase of Palstinian Intifada, British press, with rare exceptions, has reported with shameful bias towards Israel. This speaks volume of the ever-exploitative Zionist propaganda machine. What else could be the reason? Not religion, as the Christian Palestinians are equally oppressed by Israel. Not morality, as it is the Israelis who are illegal occupiers and persecutors. Certainly not the British love for the under dogs, with Israeli tanks, gunship and automatic rifles taking on the stone throwing youths and children. Even Israeli intellectuals have endorsed the world opinion that Israel is the aggressor and villain in this case. In fact, with the exception of USA and UK, most of the world is unanimous in condemning Israel, including UNO and the commission for human rights in Geneva. .
There is a hidden element of praise for Israeli military machine and its brutal 'efficiency'. The valiant Israeli commandos snatching 8 young 'suspects' of the high profile lynching of TWO Israeli soldiers. Who will snatch the murderers of HUNDREDS of young Palestinians? All Israeli fatalities were plastered all over tabloids and broadsheets alike, complete with funeral coverage and an insight into the tragedy of the bereaved. With the exception the brutal killing of 10 years old Mohammad Duma rest were reported as numbers.The reports 'admired' the accuracy of Israeli missiles and yet no one mentioned an ambulance taking a direct hit. Covering the Israeli gunship attacking the civilian targets in the middle of Palestinian population, BBC's Ben Brown described it "an eye for an eye" at a time when the number of Palestinian dead stood at 95 against 5 Israelis. Perhaps an eye for an eyebrow would have been less shameful an exaggeration. Israeli army is an army of occupation and Palestinian people are an oppressed people under siege - should they be presenting flowers to the occupation forces instead of throwing stones at them? Had Hitler's Nazi forces occupied Britain, I have my doubt that the Londoners would have offered them cups of tea.. Instead of asking Israelis what the hell are they doing here outside Israeli borders 33 years on, they ask Palestinians to stop protesting! Are these frustrated angry young men expected to take garlands to the occupation forces?
Muslim claim of UK/US political scene being paralysed by the Zionist influence is no empty rhetoric. Consider Iraq being bombed to middle ages on the back of ONE United Nations resolution. Over FIFTY such resolutions are stacked against Israel and yet it gets nothing short of an unflagging support from the sole super power of our time. As the Fleet Street obediently responded, almost subconsiencely, to the Zionist propaganda, one prominent Jewish intellectual poured his conscience out in a Tel Aviv daily last week. He pleaded guilty, on behalf of his nation, of the terrible atrocities inflicted upon Palestinian people through three generations and warned his extremist countrymen of consequences beyond their imagination.
I realise that Britain, even as a super power let alone its press, no longer wield influence of a global power as its sphere of influence has shrunk considerably. Must our conscience, our sense of justice and fair play and our humanity meet the same fate?

M A Baig
mabaig@aol.com