Israeli Soldier: 'Cameras Are Our Kryptonite'

[Purveyor]

Published December 11, 2012

A recent article on Ynet, and excellent analysis by Ali Abunimah on the Electronic Intifada, yields this gem of a quote (emphasis Abunimah’s):

One soldier admits that the presence of cameras – presumably in the hands of Palestinian and other videographers – inhibits the soldiers from being even more abusive: T. says the cameras on the ground undermine the forces’ efforts. “A commander or an officer sees a camera and becomes a diplomat, calculating every rubber bullet, every step. It’s intolerable, we’re left utterly exposed. The cameras are our kryptonite.”

Of course, Abunimah acknowledges that the presence of cameras does not always restrain the Israeli military’s use of lethal violence against protesters:

While “T.” worries about “calculating every rubber bullet,” Israeli soldiers have found ways around rules nominally meant to prevent wanton killing of Palestinians.

MORE...

http://972mag.com/idf-soldier-cameras-are-our-kryptonite/61849/

[oberliner]

1. "...excellent analysis by Ali Abunimah on the Electronic Intifada"

That anyone can quote this person on this site in light of all his previous statements is hard to fathom.

That being said, is there any army in the world that has more cameras shoved in their faces than the IDF?

[azurnoir]

2. in light of Abunimah's previous statements ? like what?

and did you not notice Ynet was also quoted

[shira]

4. See Abunimah's crap in the Antizionism = Antisemitism thread.

That thread keeps being re-bumped due to the repeat incidents of anti-semitism performed by leading anti-zionists; one of which is Abunimah.

[azurnoir]

5. lol been there done that said what I had to say and how does it keep getting rebumped

'cause last I looked it was locked

http://www.democraticunderground.com/113419076

[shira]

11. Yeah, you couldn't defend him.

And it's this thread I'm referring to:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/113417963

Are you interested in more evidence of Abunimah's bigotry?

[azurnoir]

14. well of course it was your own thread what was I thinking?

and as far as defending or whatever you seem to have difficulty with that and/or separating fact from what is indeed your own opinion

but sure is it your Greta Berlin thread that one hasn't been kicked in a while, if memory serves that one was almost at 300 posts a sure sign of your absolute something

[shira]

17. Let's start with Abunimah's defense of Helen Thomas...

...without reservation. No demanding an apology, nothing.

[azurnoir]

18. changing the goal posts again? well of course

so comon' hit us with your best shot lol

[shira]

19. No deflecting, okay? Why would Abunimah defend Helen Thomas....

...without any reservation whatsoever?

You admitted she's antisemitic. But it gets worse than just defending a garden variety antisemite like Thomas...

Hussein Ibish writes about his cheerleading for Hamas and support of their "resistance" (rockets/war crimes/terror):
http://ibishblog.com/blog/hibish/2009/05/29/what_does_ali_abunimah_really_believe

So it's okay for Hamas to attack the Jews they say they hate and wish to kill. Does it get much worse than that? How is that better than defending skinheads or white supremacists who act on their agenda to kill Jews?

He attacks almost all Jews, going so far as to say PeaceNow and J-Street are racist. The logic is easy here: Any Jews in PeaceNow or J-Street, including those not as Left/Liberal as they are, are racists. Only the anti-zionist ones (less than 1%) are okay in his book.

[azurnoir]

20. so now Abunimah attacks "almost all Jews" well okay he's a one man terror organization

better write your Congress person quick I guess Homeland security is unaware or will you see this as yet another opportunity to post something else from another rightist blog?
com'on we're waiting

[shira]

21. You're deflecting. You didn't give an answer....

....wrt Abunimah defending Helen Thomas.

Or Abunimah's cheerleading for Hamas and their "resistance" against Israeli civilians.

And if you don't buy that Abunimah believes all Jews are racist, name Jews or Jewish organizations he's okay with (besides anti-zionist ones).

[dlwickham]

26. you really expect to have an adult conversation with these people

you're a better man than I am then

I just want to tell them to go screw themselves

[shira]

27. I feel it's some kind of obligation. n/t

[dlwickham]

29. I'm glad someone is doing it

[azurnoir]

28. well I missed this comment however after reading your reply and the next couple after it

all I can say is your not getting it now I did not deflect anything I simply ignored your attempts to steer not to mention the hyperbole that's all

[delrem]

3. The comments at ynet are very revealing. nt

[azurnoir]

6. B'Tselem’s Camera Project

The hundreds of volunteers film a reality that the Israeli public is usually unaware of. The video footage, together with the footage of security cameras set up at locations where violence is common, provides additional documentation. The unlawful shooting of a bound and blindfolded Palestinian demonstrator, daily harassment by settlers in Hebron, attacks on Palestinian farmers in the southern Hebron hills, and army incursions into Qalqiliya are just some of the events that have already been filmed and distributed thanks to the project. Footage taken by the volunteers is frequently broadcast by Israeli and international media, exposing to a large audience incidents that previously remained concealed.

B'Tselem uses the footage as a basis for its complaints to the army and the police following suspected breaches of the law by security forces. In some cases, the footage provides vital evidence in legal proceedings. In a few cases, broadcast of the footage has contributed to genuine policy changes.

http://www.btselem.org/video/cdp_background

[oberliner]

7. That would seem to confirm it

Cameras everywhere would literally revolutionize the world.

If no one could do anything in secret, can you imagine the change?

[azurnoir]

8. well to record military occupation operations yes and not just IDF

US troops should be under such surveillance too

[oberliner]

9. Why only military occupation operations?

Why not military operations of any and all kinds?

[azurnoir]

10. could be however who would have possession of the footage?

and add to that law enforcement operations at least in the US

[shaayecanaan]

12. I'm all for it...

the same way I am all for surveillance cameras in public places. At least one policeman in my home state was convicted of assault after unnecessarily beating up on a 60 year old man, all before the glare of Citysafe cameras.

Btselem's camera project has been quite a success in terms of exposing some dreadful conduct.

[shaayecanaan]

13. I hadnt seen this video before

In July 2008 B’Tselem uncovered a video filmed by a young Palestinian woman from the village of Ni’lin. The video depicted a soldier firing a rubber coated metal bullet at a handcuffed and blindfolded Palestinian detainee from a short range, in the presence of a lt. Colonel. Following a subsequent investigation, the officer, Lt. Col. Omri Borberg, and solider, Staff Sergeant Leonardo Corea, were charged by the Army with “conduct unbecoming”. Following a high court petition against the lenient charge, the soldier was charged with unlawful use of weapons, and the officer with attempted threats. Both were also charged with conduct unbecoming. The two were convicted and in the beginning of 2011. The officer was sentenced to a suspended jail sentence and a halt to promotion for two years. The soldier was sentenced to demotion to the rank of private.

A wholly suspended sentence. For shooting someone, who was bound and blindfolded, at point blank range.

[azurnoir]

15. no I don't think the video was ever posted but I do remember being told

by Israel's promoters here that the Palestinian guy was only shot in the foot so it was no big deal

[azurnoir]

16. Foreign Minister Lieberman: Palestinian police that hit IDF soldiers must die

It’s been a bad week for us occupiers. Caught by the natives with our pants down. Twice!

First, there was this embarrassing moment in Hebron when IDF soldiers were sourrounded by Palestinian police:

But then came the worst, when Palestinians from the village of Kadum threw stones on soldiers and the latter – are you sitting down? – ran away! I mean, everybody knows: As occupiers, showing signs of weakness makes it harder to rule.

&feature=player_embedded

But the best one came today [Heb] from our beloved Foreign Minister, the one who will probably take over the Likud when Bibi is gone:

“It is unacceptable that Palestinian police slap and punch IDF soldiers and stay alive.”

http://972mag.com/foreign-minister-lieberman-palestinian-police-that-hit-idf-soldiers-must-die/61855/

[Scurrilous]

22. Israeli soldiers assault two Reuters cameramen

<snip>

"Yousri Al Jamal and Ma'amoun Wazwaz said a foot patrol stopped them as they were driving to a nearby checkpoint where a Palestinian teenager had just been shot dead by an Israeli border guard.

Their car was clearly marked 'TV' and they were both wearing blue flak jackets with 'Press' emblazoned on the front.

The soldiers forced them to leave the vehicle and punched them, striking them with the butts of their guns. They accused them of working for an Israeli NGO, B'Tselem, which documents human rights violations in the occupied West Bank, the Reuters cameramen said.

Locals say B'Tselem has given a number of Palestinians video cameras so they can film soldiers and settlers who live in this divided city. The NGO was not immediately available for comment.

The soldiers did not let the men produce their official ID papers and forced them to strip down to their underwear, making them kneel on the road with their hands behind their heads, the cameramen said.

Two other Palestinian journalists working for local news organizations, including a satellite television station affiliated to the Islamist group Hamas, were also stopped and forced to the ground.

One of the soldiers then dropped a tear gas canister between the men and the IDF patrol ran away. The four journalists scrambled clear and Jamal and Wazwaz got to their car, which had rapidly filled up with tear gas, they said."

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/13/us-palestinians-israel-reuters-idUSBRE8BC1KK20121213

[King_David]

23. Is there a video clip?

what has this to do with the OP ?

Is this relevant to 'Israeli Soldier: 'Cameras Are Our Kryptonite' ?

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Do you only converse with those you agree with?

This is important to know because I know you once applied to be a host of this group ....

And I think we should know this in case you ever request this position again.

[Purveyor]

24. You are right. Has nothing to do with the original OP however it does deserve a thread of it own.

Thanks for the prompt.

[King_David]

25. No problem nt

[KimonoGirl]

30. It's the only way to get the truth out

That way Zionists in Israel can't keep lying and covering their asses.