Analyzing and debunking (Palestinian) propaganda

[appal_jack]

Mods, I view this post as more about focusing a critical eye on propaganda in the modern media sphere than it is about the I/P issue specifically, hence the post here in GD.

If I recall correctly, a video of a Palestinian being shot by Israeli snipers got quite a bit of traction here at DU during late July. I did not participate in any of the threads about it at the time, but a Facebook friend (who himself is a veteran of the first Iraq War) posted this interesting deconstruction of the video here:

http://www.thomaswictor.com/fake-atrocity-video-from-gaza/

If Thomas Wictor's analysis is correct (and after reading through it, I believe it is) the entire video is a 'Pallywood' fabrication, more of a weapon in the media war than a documentation of an atrocity in the physical war. Specifically, Wictor concludes:

the International Solidarity Movement released the most blatantly phony footage I’ve ever seen. A child could deconstruct this fake atrocity video... NOBODY DIED

&

No wounds on his entire body. The “blood” on his wrist has no source. If a .338 round had hit his wrist, he’d have a ragged stump to wave at the camera. And is his female buddy smiling?
After Green Shirt was “dead,” he opened his eyes.
Notice how calm everybody is? It’s because there were no Israelis within miles of where they filmed this clown act.

So much of modern warfare is propaganda. I view it as more important than the tanks, guns, ordnance, and even air power. I am old enough to remember the US propaganda about Saddam killing babies (I was suspicious of that claim even at the time, but it was hard to debunk immediately, especially as those were basically pre-internet days). I actively try to wade through the conflicting assertions about Ukraine, and so far think that the Putinistas are doing far more of the lying, but I am mindful that the West/CIA are out there too, vying for our attention and sympathies with perhaps questionable motives.

In this video from the International Solidarity Movement, I conclude that nobody did in fact die while the cameras were rolling. What does it mean that one side circulates such propaganda? In the I/P conflict, I am sure that both sides are fighting the propaganda war, but here at DU at least, the Palestinian/Hamas side seems to be winning. I welcome any examples of successful debunkings of Israeli (or Ukranian, or US, or...) propaganda as well to move this discussion forward.

-app

[enid602]

1. bibi

Bib's taken care of Pallywood propaganda by bombing their main power plant. No power, no pesky cell phones to take videos, and no power for pc's. Problem solved.

[appal_jack]

2. True, the propaganda war and physical war do intersect. nt

[sabrina 1]

6. And fewer children to deconstruct, see OP, propaganda videos. 'Even a child' etc.

[JI7]

3. that video was fake but there has been a lot of propaganda from the Israeli side also

when they claimed that boy who was burned to death was killed by his own people in an honor killing. when they tried to claim it was actually hamas that bombed the US shelters.

[appal_jack]

4. I do not doubt that Israelis are fighting the propaganda war as well. Links & examples welcome. nt

[enid602]

7. rubble

The video was obviously a juvenile prank or crude attempt at propaganda, but the real impact of it came from the long vistas of bombed out buildings and rubble. I don't think they had the resources to build such an elaborate set.

[CJCRANE]

5. The whole world was appalled, not just DU.

I didn't watch the video but whatever it shows doesn't change the reality of the destruction in Gaza.

[seveneyes]

8. Many suckers bought that video production hook, line and sinker

There are many more similar tragically scripted videos in the same vein plastered on the intecubes for all to see.

[el_bryanto]

9. Whether or not that particular incident was faked

and it's terrible if it was, there are plenty of reputable international observers who are contrasting the Palestinian and Israeli Casualties and it seems clear that the Palestinians are getting the worst of it (not to mention the wanton destruction of homes and jobs).

Bryant

[m-lekktor]

10. I just googled Thomas Wictor, your source.

I have doubts he is a credible source. David Frum eventually apologized to the New York Times for using this guy as a source to claim something they reported was fraudulent when it wasn't.


http://gawker.com/david-frums-apology-for-his-nutty-theory-links-to-more-1613454088

[appal_jack]

11. Well, on this particular topic, I find him credible.

Well, on this particular topic, I find him credible. If you find sources that contradict Wictor regarding his analysis of this particular video, I would like to read them.

BTW, for anyone reading this thread, I have some mowing and painting to do during the rest of this afternoon and evening. Will return quite late tonight or maybe some time tomorrow to see how the discussion goes.

-app