The fallacy of Israel's human shields claims in Gaza

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/fallacy-israel-human-shields-claims-gaza-180618085404724.html
Date Written:  2018-06-18
Publisher:  Aljazeera
Year Published:  2018
Resource Type:  Article
Cx Number:  CX22656

Desperately trying to justify the killing of unarmed protesters, Israel once again uses its 'human shields' mantra.

Abstract: 
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Excerpt:

It has become part of a macabre ritual. Each week, thousands of Palestinians stride towards the fence surrounding the small swath of land in which they have been imprisoned for years, as Israeli snipers pick their victims and shoot.

Since March 30, 132 Palestinians have been killed and over 13,000 have been injured as they have courageously protested the effects of Israel's ongoing military siege on Gaza.

To some, the Palestinian march might look suicidal, but to Palestinians, it is the ultimate act of peaceful resistance. Malnutrition, lack of drinking water, daily electricity outages, massive unemployment, and extreme poverty are not abstract slogans for the civilians who have participated in these demonstrations.

So, week in and week out, they march towards the fence in the hope that the world will hear their anguish and that some country, some leader, or even some movement will support their cause and help them break the siege.

But each week, Israel is trying hard to push a different narrative. The Israeli military has been disseminating on social media images and videos of young children at protests. One short clip plays a lullaby interrupted by the sound of gunfire and rhetorically asks: "Where are the children of Gaza today?" After showing children amid the protesters, it then displays the word "here" in all caps across the screen.