Demonstrations in Judea and Samaria are known to make headlines, but do they show the truth? While images from the scenes of demonstrations may often seem violent and dramatic, more often than not a single shot is taken out of frame and out of context, failing to accurately portray what really happened beyond individual frame caught in the lens.
This is what we know [the facts]:
Yesterday, following an illegal attempt by Palestinians and
foreign activists to erect tents in Samaria’s Hemdat area, in the
northern Jordan Valley, security personnel responded to the site with
the intent to implement a standing Supreme Court Decision. At the site,
Palestinian and foreign activists violently objected, throwing stones
and striking Israeli security forces. The security personnel contained
the violence with riot dispersal means, seized the tents and detained
three Palestinians who were the main instigators, forcefully objecting
to the activity. Reports that foreign diplomats abused their diplomatic
privileges are currently being reviewed and, if required, complaints
will be filed with the relevant authorities.
Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Paul Hirschson,
said a formal complaint might be filed with the French over the
involvement of French diplomat, Marion Castaing. “If she did participate
then a formal complaint will be filed because that is not the way
diplomats behave,” he said.
This is what is seen in the media: French
diplomat Marion Castaing on the floor, with some media outlets
questioning about the guns supposedly pointed at her by an Israeli
police officer.
These images, such as the one shown above, are then turned
viral. By spreading this misinformation, false interpretations are born
with no context or truth behind them.
This is what the media fails to show:
The photo used to spread this misinformation was taken as a
screenshot from a video with footage clearly showing that Marion
Castaing was neither physically dragged to the floor nor had guns
pointed at her. Also, the photo clearly shows that the officer is
holding his gun by the magazine, nowhere near the rifle’s grip.
How come you haven’t come across these two photos, also
filmed at demonstrations and protests in Judea and Samaria? Footage is
filmed, photos are captured, and in the end, only those inciting the
most controversy make your papers’ headlines. Although it may be
difficult to disprove what is visible, it is important to make note that
Palestinians who wish to deliberately spread lies about Israel are
playing with the images that are being made visible to you, often times
circulating false or poorly photoshopped photographs, as seen in the
examples below:
http://www.idfblog.com/2013/04/04/proved-fake-photo-of-palestinian-prisoner-maysara-abu-hamdiya-handcuffed-to-bed/
Many photos and videos have been manipulated to show Israel in a negative light. This is just another example of the length to which people will go to spread lies.
In addition to framing the scene in a misrepresentative
way, Palestinians also often use the presence of photojournalists to
impact the situation itself, as Palestinian protesters see their being
filmed as an opportunity to instigate violence even when the situation
does not call for it.
Italian photojournalist Ruben Salvadori
realized that media doesn’t always show the big picture while covering
Palestinian protests in Judea and Samaria. He explains: “Sometimes the
situation is tense and dangerous, but many other times, the riots are
nothing more than groups of young Palestinian kids who, with their face
covered, throw rocks and disperse after the first tear gas is shot or go
home if no IDF soldier comes.”
As shown in the video below, Palestinian children are often
encouraged to confront IDF soldiers, taunting and provoking the
soldiers in order to incite violence.
The recent demonstrations in Judea and Samaria have been
making headlines lately, but these headlines aren’t always the real
news. While photographs may appear to be authentic and honest, there is
far more to visual journalism than is made public. Sometimes
photojournalists capture a tense moment with perfect timing, but other
times the action is staged.
No comments:
Post a Comment