Andrew Bartlett: Leak and spin
The news sources are full of the story that a ‘Muslim’ officer was excused from guarding the Israeli embassy during the recent Israeli invasion of Lebanon.
I have two questions.
First, who leaked this story to the press, and what effect did they hope to produce?
Second, why are news sources concentrating on the fact that the officer was a Muslim?
It seems to me that the important feature of this officer’s identity was not that he was a Muslim, as did not ask to be excused from guarding the Israeli embassy prior to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, and once the Israeli bombing of Lebanon ceased he returned to full duties. He was excused from guarding the Israeli embassy during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon because his wife is Lebanese.
Posted on October 5th, 2006 at 10:54 am
I have to say, in the Today programme they kept referring to the fact that he was muslim, and should officers be allowed to request changes in duties for religious reasons.
I thought it odd, as his family was made up of folks from lebanese and syrians, it was probably much more to do with nationality. Would they have been so interested in his religious persuasion if he’d been armenian christian or druze or even zoroastrian?
The media can’t have it bothe ways, at once seemingly mistified at mulims sensitivity to the constant demonising of their religion, and on the other rubbing the bruise at every opportunity.
This struck me as such a non-story i was actually laughing out loud in the shower (the only time i get to listen to the Today programme).
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