AIPAC calls out Palestinian Authority’s abuse of journalists but neglects Israel’s attacks

Twitter users called out the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) for condemning the Palestinian Authority (PA) for assaulting journalists and Palestinian civilians protesting their government in the West Bank. The users focused on AIPAC’s hypocrisy for drawing attention to the PA’s use of violence against protestors and journalists without having acknowledged Israel for the exact same actions.

AIPAC has never called the Israeli government out for quashing protests or detaining journalists, which it does systematically. pic.twitter.com/JecgONRdTE

— Mairav Zonszein מרב זונשיין (@MairavZ) July 7, 2021

AIPAC is a self-proclaimed bipartisan American organisation that supports cementing the allyship between America and the occupation state. The organisation lobbies Congress of the United States on issues and legislation pertaining to Israel.

In one of the promotional emails AIPAC sends to its subscribers, it called attention to the PA’s security forces attacking journalists in Ramallah. The reporters were covering the protests which erupted following the death of Palestinian activist Nizar Banat. Banat was an outspoken critic of the PA who died while in the PA’s custody.

“During four days of demonstrations in the West Bank, the Palestinian Authority has assaulted and intimidated media and civilians who are protesting against their government,” the subscription email reads.

Since its establishment, AIPAC has neglected to acknowledge the atrocities committed by the Israeli government, including using intimidation tactics against journalists and civilians protesting the occupation.

Some users elected to call out AIPAC for its blatant bias and hypocrisy in only denouncing the PA for its actions, which mimic those of the Israeli occupation forces in their cruelty.

https://twitter.com/manooleh/status/1412866880776310791

Others further rebuked the email by stating that the Palestinian Authority is under the complete control of the Israeli government.

And they ignore the reality the PA does what Israel wants them to do.

— GBliss (@GBliss) July 7, 2021

The PA is a puppet of Israel that does their dirty work for them at low cost.

Why is AIPAC criticizing them?

— Aintropy (@Aintropy) July 7, 2021

https://twitter.com/RawPolitik/status/1412933521115684864

Mairav Zonszein, who posted the email from the pro-Israeli organization, stressed that Palestinians under occupation have no right to protest in the first place, even though Israelis can do so peacefully.

With all the criticism the PA gets and indeed deserves for its repressive and corrupt behavior, important to remember that Palestinians under occupation do not have the right to protest https://t.co/9BBjwtZGnQ

— Mairav Zonszein מרב זונשיין (@MairavZ) July 8, 2021

AIPAC has yet to denounce Israel for its bombing of a media tower in Gaza, which was flattened during the 11-day bombardment of the strip in May. The building housed several international media offices used by networks such as Al Jazeera and the Associated Press.

One user responded with a clip of the media tower’s owner pleading with an Israeli officer to let journalists collect their equipment before it was bombed.

https://twitter.com/Salwa28940949/status/1412840465548861441

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