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Al Jazeera Interview With Israeli Spokesman Turns Heated: ‘You’re Shooting the Messenger’

Nov. 20, 2012 1:52pm Becket Adams

[Editor's note: Some of the following images are graphic and may not be suitable for all audiences.]

Israeli forces over the weekend targeted a media building in Gaza that, they say, was being used by Hamas as a communications center.

“Senior Islamic Jihad terrorists hid in a media building in Gaza, using journalists working there as human shields,” said a spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Here’s a quick clip of the attack [via AP]:

The airstrikes have killed at least one militant (who was allegedly engaged in “media warfare” against Israel) and injured six journalists, one of whom allegedly lost a leg, according to various media reports.

Clearly upset with what he refers to as Israel’s policy of “shooting the messenger,” Al Jazeera host Darren Jordon on Monday confronted Israeli spokesman Mark Regev in a heated debate.

“We don’t target journalists,” said Regev. “We target Hamas.”

Jordon noted that there were several journalists inside the building and added that there was no way Israeli forces could have taken out Hamas operatives without harming others.

“As far as I know, no foreign journalists were hurt whatsoever,” Regev said. “We were surgical, we took out the target that we wanted to take out.”

“You can’t sit there and say no journalists were injured,” Jordon replied. “One person had their leg blown off. That is a fact.”

Let’s pause for just a moment and examine Jordon’s claim. Based on our research, a cameraman with al-Quds TV was injured in one of the airstrikes. He’s Palestinian, his name is Khader Zahar, and he rushed to a hospital immediately following the attacks.

Here’s an official Reuters photo of Zahar:

Al Jazeera host Darren Jordon & Israeli spokesman Mark Regev Sharply Disagree on Israels Decision to Bomb a Gaza Media Building

Palestinians wheel Khader Zahar, a Palestinian cameraman who works for al-Quds TV, into a hospital after an Israeli air strike at the channel’s office in Gaza City Nov. 18, 2012. (Reuters/Ali Hassan)

And here are some follow-up photos. There’s a photo posted to Flickr by activestills:

Khader Haidar al-Zahhar, 20-year-old, at the Intensive care unit in Al Shifa hospital after he sustains serious wounds and his right leg was amputated after the Israeli military strike (Anne Paq/Activestills.org)

And, here’s a photo floating around social media that claims to be Khader:

(Twitter)

Two points should be made. First, the above Flickr photo comes from a left-leaning, anti-Israel site. So take it with a large grain of salt. Second, it’s unclear whether the Twitter photo of Khader is legitimate.

There’s a lot of bad information out there and until both photos are verified, we urge readers to proceed with caution.

Okay, back to the Al Jazeera debate.

Regev responded to Jordan’s comments about injured journalists by noting that there’s a distinction to be made between real journalists and the type of media used by “totalitarian regimes.”

“Just as in other totalitarian regimes, the media is used by the regime for command and control and also for security purposes. From our point of view, that’s not a legitimate journalist,” said Regev.

Jordon was unimpressed with Regev’s line of reasoning and pointed out that the airstrike could’ve harmed international journalists who were also in and around the building.

“None of whom were hurt,” Regev said.

“What are you saying, that a local Arab journalist’s life is any less than an international journalist?” Jordon shot back.

“Unconditionally, no. We see all journalists as legitimate people,” Regev replied.

Jordan pressed on: Does “Israel apologize for the injuries caused in this attack?”

Regev responded, “Israel does not target journalists, and I think there are very legitimate questions about Hamas using journalists as human shields.”

As the debate began to wind down, Jordon flat-out accused Israel of purposely targeting journalists.

“You clearly are targeting the media, aren’t you? You’re shooting the messenger,” Jordon snipped.

“Not true at all,” Regev responded somewhat wearily.

Watch it below:

Follow Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) on Twitter

Front page photo courtesy Getty Images.

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Comments (22)

mrshifter
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 10:58pm
It’s absolutely unbelievable that hating Jews so badly can make people like this behave like this. We’re doomed!

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- Chi_Chi
  Posted on November 21, 2012 at 6:19am
  Why do they even give them the time of day. Read fresh political commentary at: http://smallcraftadvisorychronicles.blogspot.com/
  
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ApostolicIlx
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 10:49pm
If journalists are embedded with legitimate targets, guess what, they’re legitimate targets. What is this too difficult for them to grasp? If you dance in the fire, you will get burned. It’s not rocket surgery!

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mopman64
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 4:26pm
Que The _Jerk in 3…2…1…

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crystalsky
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 3:55pm
Add your comments

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crystalsky
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 3:46pm
Do you hear this journalist badgering Israeli where are all these journalist when the men that enforce sharia law Kill there own children and women . Stop badgering Israel. Do something about this idiot journalist targeting Israeli The Facts are How many journalist have said anything about the women and children the Sharia law kill. What about the sharia who killed American on there own land in Benghazi.
Stop harassing Israel. You are reporters then you need to get out the way. This is a war on Israel and if you are trying to make out its Israel attacking you then take your cameras and go home. or go find out how many women and children are being abused or killed by sharia law you idiots. Israel has done nothing wrong. They have been saying not to come near there way before arab spring or the brother hood.

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Larry E
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 3:41pm
They weren’t shooting the messenger, but it can be arranged!

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cdn1979
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 3:36pm
they target the journalists and the media on purpose so you can’t see the truth of their murderous ways. They will be judged in this life or the next.

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whatthecrazy
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 2:58pm
If i’m not mistaking don’t they behead our journalist,not accidently but intentionally remove thier head while they are STILL ALIVE and they want to B$%^# and complain about a leg gone missing?Why oh why can’t we just get rid of these people before they have the ability to kill us all with the help of our Government of course.

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WesG
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 2:53pm
Is there anyway someone can get the entire crew at msnbc, cbs and cnn to Israel to report on Hamas?

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- cdn1979
  Posted on November 20, 2012 at 3:52pm
  are you calling for the murder of US citizens? and are you admitting that israel is targetting journalists?
  
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SquidVetOhio
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 2:42pm
Well, just in case they are intentionally targeting journalists,

Hey Israel. MSNBC…. just sayin…..

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- DadRocked
  Posted on November 20, 2012 at 3:16pm
  Any reporters that you have in mind to be there?
  
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tbeachhead
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 2:19pm
How do you distinguish trash from class? Listen to the questions of a fraud, and watch the responses and learn. If this “journalist” were to pose a single one of these like questions to Hamas, he’d be dead before he asked a second question.

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Al J Zira
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 1:59pm
Should have said: yeah, we’re shooting the messenger too. So think twice about the message you want to send.

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- oldguy49
  Posted on November 20, 2012 at 2:04pm
  i will second that
  
  Report this comment
- Al J Zira
  Posted on November 20, 2012 at 2:06pm
  And we know where you live.
  
  Report this comment
- maverick4harlot
  Posted on November 20, 2012 at 2:25pm
  Personally If I were Israel I would give the residents of the Gaza strip 24 hours to remove all women and children then I would go in and destroy the entire country and bulldoze the remnants into the sea. All the while telling Egypt and everyone else in the region to stay out of it or suffer the same.
  
  Gaza brought it on themselves. If they refused to allow Hamas in their country they would be left alone. They however choose to allow terrorists into their country to attack Israel and it’s people. They deserve what they get. Leave it alone and let them fight it out. It’s been two thousand years Muslims and Jews have been fighting and it’s time to end it once and for all.
  
  Report this comment
- maverick4harlot
  Posted on November 20, 2012 at 2:36pm
  What did GOD’s angel say about Muslims?
  
  And the angel of Jehovah said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son; and thou shalt call his name Ishmael, because Jehovah hath heard thy affliction And he shall be as a wild ass among men; his hand’shall be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell over against all his brethren.
  
  Ishmael is recognized as an important prophet and patriarch of Islam. Ishmael is recognized by Muslims as the ancestor of several prominent Arab tribes and being the forefather of Muhammad. Muslims also believe that Muhammad was the descendant of Ishmael that would establish a great nation, as promised by God in the Old Testament.
  
  “And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of 12 rulers, and I will make them into a great nation.”
  —Genesis 17:20
  
  Report this comment
- maverick4harlot
  Posted on November 20, 2012 at 2:46pm
  Ishmael, HE SHALL BE AS A WILD ASS AMONG MEN, HIS HAND SHALL BE AGAINST EVERY MAN AND EVERY MANS HAND AGAINST HIM AND HE SHALL DWELL OVER AGAINST ALL OF HIS BRETHREN.
  
  And this is the father of the Muslim religion, SO SAID JEHOVAH.
  
  Report this comment
- Trail_Jumper
  Posted on November 20, 2012 at 2:48pm
  Spot on Maverick.
  
  Report this comment
- maverick4harlot
  Posted on November 20, 2012 at 3:09pm
  Early Christians believed in slavery, WE GREW UP. Early Christians believed in stoning people to death, WE GREW UP.
  
  In the Gospel of Matthew, an alternative for “an eye for an eye” is given by Jesus:
  38 ¶ Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
  39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
  40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
  41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
  42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
  —Matthew 5:38–5:42 KJV
  
  I believe that Jesus had it correct. Turn the other cheek. Shame your agressor. Teach them the error of their ways and MAKE THEM GROW UP. However if there is to be war then make it so bloody and crule and gruesome that everyone will loose the taste for war forever. They have been fighting for 2,000 YEARS!!! It’s about time for muslims to grow up and stop being the ass of a man that the angel of GOD said they would be and grow up. If they refuse then maybe it is time to eliminate the fox that keeps attacking your chicken coop!
  
  Report this comment

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