American Media in the Palestine-Israel Conflict and Untold Narratives of Palestine/Israel/Middle East

In this course, we have learned that the narratives shared in history are often those who held power within the context of that historical period.  What we also learned is that there are numerous narratives that are silenced by those in power.  In addition to that, we have learned that what occurs in reality and what we perceive to have occurred can often be two very different things.

Case in point.  The following article from CNN on "What You Need to Know About the Israel-Palestine Conflict." While the article does gleam over some key elements of the current situation in Palestine and Israel, particularly in the highly contested Gaza/West Bank regions, it does not really delve into the depths of the historical origins of this conflict.  It doesn't discuss concepts of colonialism, Zionism, neocolonialism, or the like.  It merely glosses over the fact that there is a conflict and that, in terms of political involvement, there is "a lot of talk and very little action."

Israel-Palestine Conflict - What You Need to Know

I find this interesting given the long-term involvement of the U.S. in this conflict, in one form or another, largely as a right-hand, as it were, to Israel.  It's like the opening of On Palestine refers, like speaks to like.  The colonialist attitude permeates different areas.  If it is deemed "to have worked for so and so then maybe it'll work for us?"  Well, we see how well that mentality has played out in the world.

The following article link, "Gay Palestinians in Israel: 'The Invisible Man,' focuses on the borderlands identity, as it were, of gay Palestinians, forced out of their homes, as homosexuality is a capital offense in areas along the Gaza Strip, though not the West Bank; however, LGBT rights are protected in neither. There is no safe haven in their own Palestine, nor in Israel, where many flee to places like Tel Aviv.  They are treated as enemies to the state in both areas and are often forced to face deportation or potential coercive manners, such as serving as informants for the Israeli forces in exchange for a lessened sentence or their freedom.  This essentially creates their own version of statelessness as they live along the borders of both societies and the Middle East in general.

Gay Palestinians in Israel: The Invisible Man

And lastly, for those interested in the intersection of sexuality and Palestinian identity, I found this article on a recent documentary on gay Palestinians living in the gay-friendly area of Tel Aviv and their experiences with the Israel-Palestine conflict.

New Film Explores Struggles of Gay Palestinians

Here is the trailer for this documentary:

"Oriented" Trailer - YouTube