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"Media and the Middle East: Going Beyond the Headlines"
The central theme of this year's Forum is aptly called "Media and the Middle East: Going Beyond the Headlines". Taking this motto as my instructions, I'd like to ask your attention for three topics:

- the World Capital of Freedom of Expression;
- a worrisome cascade of disinformation in the Western world;
- the media as instrumental for lasting peace.

1. The World Capital of Freedom of Expression

It is my privilege to participate in the 3rd Annual Al Jazeera Forum 2007 here in Doha, the World's Freedom of Expression Capital. This honorary title is justified for at least two reasons.
Firstly, Qatar's capital is the proud host of major information networks, operating on a worldwide scale. Among others, Al Arabyia, the BBC-Doha office and, of course, Al Jazeera [in the Arabic and English languages] are well established here. These networks carry out their duties freely and on a daily basis without outside interference. These circumstances are by no means self-evident. Among others, governments in the so-called Western world sometimes obstruct networks carrying out their duties. At various occasions, journalists are murdered, harmed and facilities attacked and destroyed. The United States of America pretend to spread democracy to the Near East [as the so-called Middle East is so close to Europe, I prefer this definition]. The USA do not seem to be very successful in that mission. By attacking one of the vital pillars of democracy - information networks - the USA throw themselves voluntarily from the self-chosen moral high ground.
Secondly, this year's Forum is noteworthy. I may remind the very topic of the Forum and the quality of the debate. In addition, the list of distinguished personalities invited is of importance. Participants are international media leaders, journalists, authors and scholars. They come from all continents, from countries with different levels of civil liberty, from all sorts of professional background and different religious orientations. They can and do freely offer their opinions. It is yet another demonstration of the freedom of expression entranced in Qatar's brave and rich cultural life.

2. A cascade of disinformation

The central theme of this meeting is a reflection of widespread concern about the quality and reliability of information. Reasons to worry about the Near East are countless. A cascade of interlocking clusters of disinformation creates the wrong image of the many conflicts in the region. Sadly, wrong concepts sustain conflicts and lead to oppression and war. Looking from the other side of the coin, false images stand in the way of lasting peace in the Near East.

The first stage of the disinformation-cascade is called Hasbara [Hebrew for 'to explain' or 'to interpret'].1) This elaborate and sophisticated propaganda machine aims at convincing the world that Israel is right. This 'vulnerable country' - boasting the fourth largest armed forces in the world with the second largest air force - is the poor victim of Arab and Iranian aggression and of widespread anti-Semitism. When we explain our policies clearly, the reasoning goes, worldwide understanding will follow. Traditionally, Israel invests large sums of money, much time and effort in building its own image.
It is not just about information. Worldwide training is one of many instruments. The Israeli Foreign Ministry runs a dedicated four weeks so-called The Ambassador's Course2). Under the banner "Are you the missing piece of Israel's Hasbara team?", the on-line course helps individuals and communities worldwide promote a positive image of Israel. Community leaders, educators, students and activists in the Diaspora - the banner reads - are offered an opportunity to acquire both a comprehensive overview of the conflict, tools to understand Palestinian propaganda and media bias and the means to advocate Israel's policy.
We'll see later how it works in practice.

Governmental propaganda - widely and rather effectively used in Nazi-Germany - these days is called 'spin'. Every government in the world, all companies and the majority of NGO's understand the importance of a good image and of 'proper' understanding of the organisation in the public domain. All of them are involved in 'spin'. It is a safe bet, however, to take for granted that the majority of the public audience is no fool by any means. 'Spin-doctors' usually understand that image and reality should not drift apart too far. In the end, that would proof to be counterproductive.

Israel's case is of a different nature. Its 'spin-doctors' seem to believe that simply telling their version of reality to the world will do. It does not seem to matter that facts on the ground and international law contradict their views. Hasbara, Israel's special brand of 'spin', has developed into an impressive and - surprisingly successful - lying machine. Such a statement needs proof, of course.
Well, the perfect demonstration took place here, in Doha, on 3rd Ferbuary, last. BBC's Doha-Debate host, Tim Sebastian, received Shimon Peres. He is widely regarded as a wise elderly statesman in the so-called Western world. Peres, as you know, is the political father of Israel's illegal nuclear arsenal, responsible for the first of at least two murder sprees of young, defensless children in Qana in South Lebanon. He also instructs his fellow-travellers to indict people, critical of Israel, of anti-Semitism [which - incidentally - happened to me twice already in The Netherlands]. He answered questions fielded by well-informed, educated, civilized young Arab women and men. They could not believe their ears. Some threw their hands up in the air in utter despair and refrained from posing a follow-up question. I just mention three of his statements. They are among the many where facts are made the victim of 'image'. Peres stated:

- there is nothing more important for us than peace with the Palestinians;
- Israel rejected the attack on Iraq;
- we constructed the Wall at sites where most of the suicide terrorists came through to Israel.
He also urged his audience not to look back, but rather into the future. The implications of his message did not escape these young people. His implicit message was: We, Israel, will keep what we took illegally, and against international law.
Shimon Peres' more than casual treatment of facts is just one example of Hasbara as instrument for disseminating disinformation. The Israeli lying machine produces other distortions of an even more dangerous character. These are directly related to aggression, violence and war. I just mention three of the most glaring examples:
- Iran wants to wipe Israel from the map.
President Ahmadinejad never said, nor implied this. He just wants 'regime change' in Israel.
- Hamas also wants to eliminate Israel.
Hamas is currently the only partner in the conflict offering long term peace, but under the obligations and rules of international law, obligations and rules that Israel hates and totally ignores.
- Hezbollah attacked Israel in the summer of 2006 as an act of aggression, and Israel had no option but to respond.
As a matter of fact, Hezbollah took two uniformed Israeli soldiers, which is perfectly in line with international law. Israel just needed an excuse, any excuse, even this flimsy one. It launched ferocious attacks on The Lebanon without a proper cause. These were meticulously prepared well in advance. Hezbollah went into action only after this glaring violation of international law.
Hasbara has completely lost touch with both facts-on-the-ground and international law. Ultimately, Israel will pay the price.

Governments, committing violations of international law wholesale, have no option but to lie wholesale. And yet it falls short as a cover-up. More needs to be done to conceal their crimes and the truth. There is a second stage in the cascade of obstructing information. We call it plain murder, murder on journalists, cameramen and others. The logical target, of course, is the media. Independent information would blow large holes in Hasbara, the mother of all spins. Independent media are a threat to the system and should be suffocated. Let me give just a few illustrations.
The Israel Defence Forces attacked Nablus on the West Bank as recently as in February of this year. It seems business as usual. But, of course, it is not. A foreign military power attacks an open town in other people's territory. International law is absolutely clear: Israel, nor its Defence Forces are entitled to be in Palestine territory, let alone that military actions would be permitted. The first IDF-actions were occupying TV- and radio-stations and prohibit journalists to carry out their duty.3) The first priority is to prevent the world to know what happens.
Being a journalist, a cameraman, a driver or an interpreter serving a news agency, be it national or international, in the West Bank and Gaza is dangerous work.4)
In the period 1996 - 2006 no less than 12 people coming from a variety of countries, working for news agencies, were killed in Israel and especially in the Occupied Territories. Israel ranks just below Indonesia with 13 people killed and at the same level as Nepal, also with 12 killed. In the same period, 13 workers in the media-business originating from Israel and Palestine lost their lives. Many more were injured.
In just nine month, from 25th June, 2006 to date, no less than 7 journalists were murdered in the Palestinian territories. Another journalist was wounded during a peaceful demonstration on 16th February of this year.5)
Reuters' cameraman Mazen Dana and his colleague and friend Nael Shayouki, both Palestinians, worked in the Occupied Territories for years. Both had suffered frequent physical assault from Israeli soldiers and settlers. Dana had been wounded 6 - 8 times.
The case of James Miller, a British filmmaker shot dead by an Israeli soldier in the Occupied Territories in early May, 2003, demonstrates that the Israel Defence Forces deliberately target journalists. The IDF delayed the completion of the investigation by not less than two years. Moreover, there were key gaps in the evidentiary record and a delay in securing weapons used on the night of the incident. In April 2006, a British coroner's court found that Miller, who had earlier been filming openly, had been deliberately shot and murdered by an Israeli soldier. An earlier investigation by the Israeli armed forces had cleared the soldier in question of misusing his weapon.
Shimon Peres - yes he again - Foreign Minister at the time, had damaged his country's reputation for fair dealing with the media when he suggested in 2001 that carrying a camera may 'invite shooting'. In suggesting that the presence of a camera might directly lead to shooting, he effectively laid responsibility for shooting at the cameraman's door. Hy thus undermined the legal claim of the media to civilian status.
Standard first action of the Israel Defence Forces, striking against Palestinian civilians, is knocking out fixed and mobile telephone communication.
The Israeli summer war of 2006 against The Lebanon gave another illustration of deliberate targeting of journalists. The IDF imposed a limitation on the use of all vehicles in southern Lebanon, also for journalists. They were warned that no safety guarantees for journalists existed. In effect, the IDF warned journalists not to drive cars or risk being attacked by the Israeli army.
It is abundantly clear that Israel could not care less about the truth. Journalists may - and sometimes do - obstruct the goals of Hasbara, the ultimate spinning machine. They may be - and indeed are - murdered. The IDF never divulge the names of the victims. It is a perfect way to hush things up. Those who pull the trigger walk free.

There is no need to argue the case of Israel as the serial offender of international law in its many forms. Concluding my remarks on Israel's dealings with truth, facts and information, disdain for our civilized international legal order is almost a matter of course. The United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1738 on 23rd December, 2006. The Security Council was 'Deeply concerned at the frequency of acts of violence in many parts of the world against journalists, media professionals and associated personnel in armed conflicts, in particular deliberate attacks in violation of international humanitarian law.' Among many other things, the Security Council urges all parties involved in situations of armed conflict to respect the professional independence and rights of these media people as civilians. The Council recalled that the deliberate targeting of civilians and other protected persons, and the commission of systematic, flagrant and widespread violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in situations of armed conflict may constitute a threat to international peace and security. The Council reaffirms in this regard its readiness to consider such situations and, where necessary, to adopt appropriate steps.
Israel could not care less. Appropriate steps by the Council seem far away. The country, however, is well advised to listen and to bring its house in order. These steps may come earlier, rather than later.

In the third stage of disinformation, Western world correspondents in the Near East play an active role.6) Editorial staff at headquarters feel the heat of the large news agencies and of local competition. They urge their men and women in the field to report immediately and in line of what Associated Press, Reuters and the other networks dictate. Truth is a minor consideration. In the words of one Dutch correspondent reporting from the region: reports, also my reports, are filtered, deformed, manipulated, biased and simplified. 7)

In the fourth stage of the cascade of disinformation, 'Israel lobbies' - well trained by Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Ambassador's Course - yank into action. They operate in most of the Western world countries and always argue along the same lines. This set of loosely bound Jewish groups and Christian evangelicals acts as mouthpiece for the Israeli regime. The influence and sheer power of "The Israel Lobby" in the United States is unparalleled and often at odds with genuine interests of the US itself, as John Mearsheimer and Stephan Walt clearly showed.8) The leverage of 'Israel Lobbies' in other Western countries might not be as all-inclusive, but certainly an important factor in political life as well. In the perspective of these lobbies 'spin' is not 'spin', but the truth and nothing but the truth. Facts are no facts, but untrue or non-existent. The messenger of unwelcome news and analyses is routinely accused of anti-Semitism and ridiculed. Of course, Israel should never be seen as a problem. The problems are "those Palestinian terrorists, those terrible Arab dictators and that horrifying Iran with nuclear ambitions". The prime aim is the same, everywhere and at any time: a critical debate on Israel's policies and atrocities should be smothered at all cost.

The local Western media assume a central role in the fifth stage of the cascade of disinformation. Dutch language media in The Netherlands and Belgium were monitored on their reporting of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from 2002 through early 2007. The investigation9) zeroed in on televised, written texts - the so-called 'teletext-news'. Thirteen one-liners in frequent use were identified. These phrases never gave the correct picture and were either favourably biased towards Israel or negatively biased in respect of Hamas or Fatah. Other one-liners were in direct conflict with international law or lacked the relevant and necessary context.
Just some examples:
- Hamas violates the truce.
Israel continuously violates right from the start of the truce agreed between her and Hamas, to which Hamas' reactions follow.
- Innocent Israeli civilians [victims of Palestinian suicide attacks] and 'Palestinians dying as a result of Israeli military actions'.
The Palestinian victims are innocent civilians as well.
- Hamas aims at destroying the State of Israel.
Hamas aims at dismantling the Israeli Zionist state structure and ending the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.
- The radical attitude of Hamas.
The Hamas point-of-view is based on the actual principles of international law as, notably, laid down in UN Security Council Resolution 242 of 1967. It is based on the legal and binding call to Israel to withdraw from the territories conquered during the June-war of 1967, including Palestinian territories [the West Bank of the river Jordan, Gaza and East-Jeruzalem] among which
The Dutch media violated reporting standards more seriously and more systematic than their Flemish counterparts. As each single one-liner provides false information repeatedly, they seriously distort facts. This is worrisome as such. These thirteen one-liners taken together, present a heavily distorted picture of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
These media under scrutiny fail to maintain a minimum of journalistic standards and add their significant contribution to the cascade of disinformation. Systematic surveys have been carried out on other Dutch media, like daily newspapers, as well.10) They show similar patterns of distortion and bias.

3. the media as a path towards lasting peace

So far, we have identified five stages of disinformation. The first stage is the elaborate, worldwide operation Israeli spinning machine Hasbara. The second one is murder, maiming and obstruction of media personnel carrying out their duties. The third stage - driven by the international news networks and local competition - is improper reporting by Western correspondents in the field. Their reports are filtered, deformed, manipulated, biased and simplified. Jewish and Christian lobbies in Western world countries promote the fourth stage of the disinformation cascade. Their message is black (anti-Israel) and white (poor and innocent Israel). They obstruct independent commentators as well as their message, if they can. Media in The Netherlands and in Flemish Belgium add the fifth and final stage to this cascade. Their one-liners constantly hammer home wrong facts and biased attitudes. Newspapers' reporting is plain wrong more often than not.

Once we have arrived at the bottom of the five-staged cascade, looking up provides a disturbing picture. So many factors work together, preventing us from making a fair judgement on the basis of hard facts and reasonably unbiased information.

Let us now bring into the equation our main goal: 'just and lasting peace in the Near East'. We have a sad truth to face. Lasting peace stands no chance whatsoever where political classes and the general public in the Western world are constantly fed with false information. Distorted images and wrong believes stand solidly in its way. Needless to say that those betrayed are the Palestinians, and - yes - the Israeli people as well.

Media credibility in the part of the world I come from has been seriously eroded by prejudice, by lack of willingness to explore facts and - most seriously - by lack of professional skills, integrity and an inclination to misguided political correctness. Debate in the European Union - and yes also in The Netherlands, my home country - is far too often predictable, stale, uninspiring and often wide of the mark. More importantly, however, biased reporting leads to wrong ideas in the minds of people. Wrong concepts sometimes lead to war, as regrettably is the cases of Iraq and The Lebanon and perhaps in Iran and Syria soon. Systematically presented false information in the Western media destroys all prospects of lasting peace between the Palestinians and Israel.

Of course, good exceptions do exist. In general, however, the truth on Western media is inescapable and comes out in Doha, the World Capital of Freedom of Expression. It also exposes their devastating role, their lack of professional skills and their depressing irresponsibility.
The media of the Western world should call themselves to account. They must and can play a vital role on the path to just and lasting peace in the Near East. How should they do that? Very simple: by finally delivering a decent job. By doing so, these media would, finally, take their moral and professional responsibility.
Participating in this Forum is a wonderful experience and a great relief. I can only offer one glimmer of hope: the Western world media should listen and get their act together ….. sooner rather than later.






notes

1) The Netherlands' daily newspaper NRC-Handelsblad, its Near East correspondent, Oscar Garschagen, wrote "Slachtoffer Israël, Propagandamachine Hasbara moet de wereld van het Israëlische gelijk overtuigen; Van oudsher investeert Israël veel tijd, geld en moeite in het eigen imago. Als ons beleid maar goed wordt uitgelegd, zo redeneert het land, volgt begrip vanzelf" (NRC-Handelsblad, 5-6 August 2006, Zaterdags Bijvoegsel, page 6)

2) www.Israel-mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFAArchive/2000_2009/2003/4/Ambassador-s%20Course
www.jaconcact.org/courses/is-am

3) a protest was lodged by the Committee to Protect Journalists on 28th February, 2007

4) "Killing the Messenger", report by The International News Safety Institute, Brussels, March 2007, pages 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 59, 70 and 71

5) Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, report on http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article6587.shtmt

6) 'Het Zijn Net Mensen', Joris Luyendijk, Podium, July 2006

7) 'Natuurlijk, maar praat vooral over de valkuilen van het vak', NRC Handelsblad, 24th February, 2007

8) "The Israel Lobby", John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt, London Review of Books, March 2006

9) 'Tendentieuze Berichtgeving, 2002 - 2007, NOS, RTL and VRT', Astrid Essed, February 2007

10) Jan Elshout carried out research on Near East reporting by the Dutch daily newspapers Trouw and Nederlands Dagblad

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