MWN Shows Real Courage
Middle Wisconsin News should be praised for their journalistic courage exhibited in the October 16th edition. It takes real courage to buck the government, mainstream media and the majority of public thinking, especially on emotional topics like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
MWN should be commended for publishing Caitlin Johnston’s article about Hamas’ attack not being “unprovoked.” There have been over 100 years of provocation by Jewish settlers in Palestine and the Israeli government that continues today with the expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
Advertising the video, recommended by Dave Svetlik, of Dr. Gabor Mate discussing his life experiences as a Jew, and his changes of heart on the treatment of Palestinians, is a story more American need to hear. You won’t find this kind of empathetic, historically accurate information on the mainstream media.
There are many people across the world, including Jews and Israeli’s, who do not support Israel’s apartheid practices. Many thousands are already protesting this war. In the U.S. over 80 Jewish people have been arrested for protesting in support of the Palestinian cause (but not the Hamas attack).
Publishing information and opinions contrary to the dominant, “group think” narrative can be dangerous. You may anger more moderate readers and loose support. But alternative views are essential to democracy and good, rational, effective public policy. John Kennedy said “We must know all the facts and hear all the alternatives and listen to all the criticisms.” But this rarely happens in the mainstream media especially at the beginning of a war.
Thank you MWN for “speaking truth to power.”