Watch the remarkable new video from Al-Jazeera (the Arabic version of al-Jazeera) in which the presenter asks his audience why Arab armies (and in particular the Iranian proxy organization Hezbollah) can’t act in a more humane way to civilians, like the Israeli and French militaries do. (The guest in the video on the right, Mr Muhammed, also agrees with him.)
Among the questions posed on air:
“Why don’t they learn from the Israeli army which tries, through great efforts, to avoid shelling areas populated by civilians in Lebanon and Palestine?
“Why don’t they learn from the Israeli army which tries, through great efforts, to avoid shelling areas populated by civilians in Lebanon and Palestine? Didn’t Hezbollah take shelter in areas populated by civilians because it knows that Israeli air force doesn’t bomb those areas? Why doesn’t the Syrian army respect premises of universities, schools or inhabited neighborhoods? Why does it shell even the areas of its supporters? …
“I will also give you the example of France. All Syrians remember that the French forces, when they occupied Syria tried to avoid, when rebels entered mosques or schools, they stopped. The people would prefer that France come back! For god’s sake, if a referendum were to be held… if people were to be asked, who would you prefer the current regime or the French, I swear by God they would have preferred the French.”
“The Israeli army, if it wanted to break up a demonstration, would have used water cannons or rubber bullets, not rockets or explosive barrels as happens in Aleppo today."
“You mustn’t compare the Syrian army with French or Israeli… The Israeli army didn’t shell Aleppo University and students there. They didn’t shell the university with rockets killing dozens of students… The Israelis or the French didn’t kill their people. Please tell me how many of their people did the French army kill?”
You can watch the video below. One wonders when Western news outlets, such as The Guardian and BBC, which day after day single out Israel for denigration, will be as honest as this al-Jazeera anchor and studio guest.
(7) nishant, January 25, 2014 4:52 PM
Israeli army follows the God of Israel
the israeli army is the most moral of all armies, they care for human lives, in the ''natural'' human sense, they can easily just blow up all who come their way, especially if one takes the holocaust, arab hatred etc... into account. yet israeli army moves with utmost cution and only defends itself...they do not torture women or children, they do exercise patience when severely provoked, they are the perfect example of how any army should operate...after all this is the army of God almighty.
shalom and peace upon jeruslem.
(6) scott, January 22, 2014 8:21 AM
You might be missing the point.
I think you're missing the point. The mention of the Israeli army wasn't intended to laud Israel. Or acknowledge our humane behavior.
I remember a book I read in school. There was a poor white farmer in Mississippi who had a black neighbor. The black man was a better farmer and better manager and managed to acquire a mule when the white man had none. When the white folks at the feed store learned this they mocked the poor white farmer.
One day the farmers son watched the black family moving away. You see someone had killed their mule and they had had enough. When the son asked his father if he had killed the mule his father replied "If you're no better than a N*&^%$, what are you?"
It was in that spirit that Al Jezeera mentioned the Israeli Army. They were using the foulest insult they could find against the Syrian government: "You're no better than Jews." It's wasn't a compliment for Israel. But if it embarrasses the Syrians and makes them reconsider the barbarism-maybe it saves some lives. And that's not a completely bad day for the Jews.
(5) Marvin, January 20, 2014 4:51 PM
Responsa
Tell this story to so-called genius academics like Stephen Hawkings, who, in their ivory towers, are so far removed from reality, they show their ability to be just as ignorant and stupid as anyone.
(4) Amir, January 20, 2014 7:29 AM
Totally agree. Israeli army is the most moral on Earth!
see above
(3) Anonymous, January 19, 2014 10:39 PM
all honest news outlets
It is true that Muslems are such warriors that have absolutely no regard for human life or dignity. what is more appalling is the rest of the world that will not see this. It is fine to be liberal and fine to feel for oppressed people. But honest reporting and honest telling must prevail for the sake of all.
Nancy, January 20, 2014 7:26 PM
Yes, but...
We can sympathize with the down trodden and poor, and uneducated, but if the Taliban and al Qaeda were really so concerned about this problem in their own countries, don't you think they would be using all the funding they get to help eradicate the problem? Facts show they have not helped anyone at all except the people they pick to die as a martyr, they pay the family a little money to keep them happy. None of that money goes to schools, hospitals, orphanages. These terrorist groups are exactly that, terrorists, and all free countries need to stop playing nice with them and arrest them all.
(2) Mickey Oberman, January 19, 2014 6:50 PM
Why Muslims kill Muslims
Just watching this 'civilized discussion' between 3 Muslims is enough to understand why Muslims kill Muslims.
They are unable to get along with anyone - anyone - not even their fellow Muslims.
How can they be expected to co-exist with non Muslims?
Andy, January 21, 2014 10:33 AM
don't use that logic as the discussion reminds me of the Israeli knesset
If it's kept to verbal disagreements it a huge step fwd
(1) Bob Rabinoff, January 19, 2014 4:38 PM
The NY Times should be as honest
Or the rest of the Western media.
Timo Kolhonen, January 20, 2014 10:02 PM
Iagree with you Bob
Why the western media do not WANT to know the truth even the arabs and muslims knows