24

Aug

Netanyahu and an Epitaph to Journalism

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Amitabh Srivastava

New Delhi | Monday | August 24, 2026

The recent demand for the arrest of Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by Türkiye seems to have put the Indian leadership in a bind.
As is well-known Türkiye has sought an international arrest warrant for Israeli Netanyahu, accusing him of “genocide” for Israel’s attack in May on activists aboard the Flotilla fleet carrying relief and aud for Gaza victims.
The Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek claims that arrest warrants had been issued on July 14 for Netanyahu and another suspect. Charges among others include genocide, crimes against humanity and torture, as part of a case against 35 people over the Israeli interception. “In line with the arrest warrants issued against Benjamin Netanyahu … our justice ministry has requested that ⁠the interior ministry issue [Interpol] red notices for them so that they may be sought ⁠internationally,” Grulke said. NATO member Türkiye has been one of the fiercest critics of Israel’s genocidal war ⁠on Gaza and has previously issued domestic arrest warrants for Netanyahu over its attacks. Türkiye has also repeatedly called for international measures against Israel for what Ankara calls its violations of human rights and international law. Israel denies those charges. In May, Israeli forces fired on at least two vessels from the Global Sumudu Flotilla sailing towards ‌Gaza. Türkiye is not the only country protesting against Israel’s scti0m.
France, Italy and Australia have also launched judicial proceedings against these violations. The activists were tortured on video. “We will not allow the crimes committed in Gaza to be covered up or those responsible to be protected by a shield of impunity.”the statement added.
As usual the Indian government has totally abdicated it's responsibility in such matters because our Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) cannot make up its mind whether to stand by the BJP's favourite go to country Israel or support it's newly found ally Türkiye notwithstanding the fact that it had openly supported Pakistan during the Operation Sindoor launched by India when innocent tourists in Kashmir had been killed by terrorists from Pakistan.
But why blame the Government alone. I still remember how the Media had also played a dubious role during that crisis citing ethical concerns.
Of all the papers, the New York Times (the upholder of freedom of press in the world) after a six- hour editorial meeting refused to use a picture of innocent children killed by an Israeli attack on a hospital in Gaza which displayed the gruesome reality.
I had written a poem on this at that time in 2023 which I would like to share again today.
Epitaph to Journalism 
(It lies buried here)

These little angels were bombed 
While they were in the safest abode-a hospital
The sight was unnerving 
Someone from the Hospital Covered the bodies of 
These children in Gaza
Hoping parents or relatives 
Would come and carry them away for burial 
Maybe mourn for them privately
But the Media 
Did not like the idea 
How could they?
They wanted the
Best Picture Award
And so they opened up the faces
Under the white sheet
The sight shocked them 
The children looked in deep peaceful slumber
And even dreaming
As their smile showed 
Until you noticed the Blood
And the missing part of the skull
Newspaper Editors 
Refused to use the picture
It did not convey
The Fear
The Trauma
The last minute gasps for breath
And so we wait 
For another occasion
Another bombing 
Or better still
Slaughter with a Sword
Or shooting from close quarters
Let's hope for the Best

( Amitabh Srivastava)

Another sector that went totally missing from the scene were the NGOs whose number runs up in lakhs in India.
The  bombing of hospitals or schools resulting in death of children, be it in Gaza or anywhere else ,should have united all child rights NGOs to condemn such killings. They should have   taken out candlelight marches and organised rallies outside the embassies of defaulting countries.
But so dependent are NGOs on the doles  of the Government in power that they dare not go against a government which does not stand against violation of human rights of children and youth be it in  India or Gaza.

(The author is a veteran journalist)
 

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