If Israel had the sympathy of a majority after the savage Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, compassion towards Israel has continued to erode since.
The almost systematic destruction of the Gaza Strip, the incessant calls for its inhabitants to flee, the raids against Lebanon and the murderous incursions of Jewish settlers into the West Bank have led us to forget that Hamas and Hezbollah only have one objective: the annihilation of the State of Israel.
As this war continues, the outcome of which we cannot see, LCN, RDI, TV5 and even our general channels become more ambiguous. Like newspapers and periodicals, by the way. Newsreaders, hosts and commentators bite their lips to keep their feelings and personal opinions from leaking out. It often happens that their petticoat sticks out.
We denounce with lip service
The response of the Israeli army is such and it is so murderous that we hardly dare denounce the demonstrations against Israel. Even when they turn into destruction and vandalism like that of last Friday in Montreal. In other times, we would also have unreservedly condemned the surge of anti-Semitic hatred which pollutes social networks. But we pay lip service to it, pampering ourselves, as if hostility towards the Jews had any justification.
Just four days after the October 7 attack, CBC/- sparked controversy by issuing a directive to its news staff never to label Hamas and Hezbollah activists and fighters as terrorists.
The directive quickly leaked and it immediately aroused the anger of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and Senator Léo Housakos, Conservative of Quebec. To ensure that the public broadcaster remains absolutely impartial, the directive adds that even if someone is quoted as having uttered the word terrorist, it must immediately be contextualized so that there is no possible misunderstanding.
We are freer than in France
No doubt because there was the attack against Charlie Hebdo and, above all, that of the Bataclan which left 131 dead and 350 injured, news readers and commentators on French television allow themselves much more freedom with the word terrorist.
Unless the Middle East conflict is resolved quickly – which seems very unlikely – it will become increasingly difficult to remain impartial. The International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant will only increase the unease of our news readers and commentators when discussing the Middle East conflict. -East.
