How Genocide Happened – Front Page Of The National

Over the last two years, the western media has failed to properly hold Israel to account. Journalists have largely failed to scrutinise their own governments’ involvement. Many of the worst columnists and commentators have defended the actions of the Israeli state, while those afraid of the pro-Israel lobby’s complaints simply resorted to both-sides rhetoric.

So rarely have western audiences been given insight into the Israeli government’s motives for their bombardment of Gaza, beyond references to the horrific events of October 7 and general condemnation of Hamas.

Our front page today is a direct response to this failure.

In Israel, political leaders and media figures have spent years saying very explicitly what they want from their destruction of the Palestinian people. They have barely tried to hide their true intentions.

“No Arab will remain in Gaza”

“No-one must inhabit this land if it is not the Jewish people”

“Israel should make Gaza look like Auschwitz museum”

“It’s not Hamas that should be eliminated. Raze Gaza”

“We have to burn Gaza now”

These are just a handful of quotes showcased in our special report, putting the truth about Netanyahu’s extremist project out there in black and white.

All four pages of these quotes, put together in association with Scotland for Palestine, should be read by those in the UK who have denied genocide and smeared those who told the truth. It should make them feel great shame.

My promise to our readers now, in light of the welcome ceasefire, is this: The National will continue to tell the truth about Israel’s illegal actions in Palestine, and hold those responsible to account.

Shining a spotlight on these quotes is just the first step in that journey towards peace.

Scotland for Palestine, a pro-Palestine and pro-independence campaign group who provided the quotes and helped with translation, added: “Over the last two years, we have witnessed a televised genocide and the wholesale breakdown of international and humanitarian law. Integral to this, has been the systematic dehumanisation of Palestinians and the outright criminal statements made by politicians against Palestinians.

“It’s been horrifying but nothing quite prepares you for seeing these documented altogether in one place. Line after line, the immense suffering of Palestinians at the hands of their occupier is sidelined by politicians as they push on with their blind support for Israel.

“Their statements and lack of action against Israel have emboldened the illegal occupation to commit some of the most heinous crimes against humanity.

“By documenting them, The National is once again leading the way to ensure all those complicit in the cruelty and injustice inflicted on Palestinians are held to account. It’s there in black and white.”