Reader’s View
COLOMBO : On the generous invitation of the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi, 16 Sri Lankan journalists are proudly spending five days in Tel Aviv — a “study tour” to better understand Israel’s version of the situation. Because, of course, nothing screams journalistic integrity louder than accepting hospitality from the very state accused of killing reporters from Reuters, AP, Al Jazeera, and Middle East Eye.
One can only marvel at the timing. While the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) continue their grisly record — bombing hospitals, schools, and homes; cutting off food, water, and electricity; and even facing allegations of genocide — our journalists apparently felt this was the perfect moment for an educational excursion.
Sri Lanka Journalists for Global Justice (SLJGJ) have condemned the government’s normalization of ties with Israel, yet these 16 representatives of the fourth estate thought it wiser to ignore both conscience and context. Was the goal of this visit to “study” how to whitewash atrocities, or simply to be used as props in Israel’s PR campaign?
When the world is witnessing one of the gravest humanitarian crises in modern history, these journalists chose to sit at Israel’s table — rather than stand in solidarity with Palestine like the members of the Free Palestine Movement (FPM) and other organisations . If this is what passes for journalistic courage in Sri Lanka, then indeed, shame is too mild a word!!
Mohamed Zahran
Colombo
