That’s a bullshit response. It ignores the long history of stories almost identical to these proving to be atrocity propaganda and the reasons WHY exactly these stories become that (it’s the same reason why these stories spread like wildfire this week - they grab attention). And it ignores the actual conversation about this topic on this thread. You’re all over the map.
I’m done with this whipsaw of a debate. My last comment on it will be a summary of where I stand more broadly on this week’s events:
- Hamas’s attack was mass murder, full stop. Something must be done to bring justice to those responsible and prevent such atrocities in the future. What that something is I have no clue.
- I am deeply saddened for what I expect will result from the response, which is further bloodshed and further entrenchment of the hatred and distrust between Israelis and Palestinians, which will inevitably prolong the cycle of violence.
- The infosphere is currently full of propaganda. I haven’t done a survey, but my general sense is the bulk of the propaganda circulating at this point is pro-Hamas, in the form of videos of different incidents being falsely attributed to the Israeli bombings.
- The stories of Hamas beheading infants and engaging in rape are of a genre that frequently proves to be atrocity propaganda. This is not necessarily purposeful propaganda. It often results from inadvertent exaggeration and is spread by rumor. It is unclear whether these claims are true in this case and, based on the history of similar claims, we won’t know until the dust settles. That mass media outlets have reported these stories does not resolve the matter; atrocity propaganda often propagates through credible media.
- The truth or falsity of the stories has no bearing on how I view the Hamas attack, but claims of this sort inflame emotions and often serve to make matters worse. And at times like these, we need more humanity and empathy, not less. Unfortunately, that’s not how mankind works.