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Israel ousts Tutu to hide brutal policies

Reports that Israel has sabotaged a UN mission led by Archbishop Desmond Tutu to investigate the Beit Hanoun massacre in Gaza is evidence of the shameful efforts by the Jewish state to prevent any probe into its brutal policies against Palestinians.

Reports that Israel has sabotaged a UN mission led by Archbishop Desmond Tutu to investigate the Beit Hanoun massacre in Gaza is evidence of the shameful efforts by the Jewish state to prevent any probe into its brutal policies against Palestinians.

The snub is symbolic of Israel's continuous defiance of international laws, particularly the Geneva Convention.

While it may rejoice that it has foiled this mission, it cannot hide the fact that its behaviour towards the Palestinians will increasingly lead to its marginalisation and eventual isolation.

The Olmert regime claims that its internal probe is over, but most human rights observers say that Israel's "kangaroo" approach has effectively swept Beit Hanoun under the carpet.

Hiding evidence is an indication of the extreme sense of nervousness rampant among Israeli politicians and military commanders.

The significant swing away from unconditional support of Israel is also beginning to manifest itself substantially.

One marvels that despite efforts to stifle Nobel Peace laureates, Tutu and Jimmy Carter, people aligned to Israel still defend its colonial enterprise as "democratic".

South African media must speak out on Tutu's snubbing and more voices added to Cosatu's call that our government suspends Israeli ties.

Iqbal Jassat

Chairman: Media Review Network, Pretoria

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