(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Doctors Without Borders Crosses a Red Line with their Blame for Gaza Hospital Bombing [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2023-10-18 The bombing of the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza is indisputably horrific. What is disputable is the blame. What is also indisputable, and indeed unconscionable, is the speed with which partisan actors, including the media, rushed to blame Israel. Doctors Without Borders (also referred to as MSF — Médecins Sans Frontières) tweeted the above message which has been seen 5.6 million times and counting. “We are horrified by the recent Israeli bombing...” In fact, as the actual analysis is being conducted by more responsible actors, we are learning that Israel almost certainly did not bomb the hospital… and why would they, strategically or morally? Another post on Daily Kos trending right now summarizes the facts as of tonight: Late last night and into this morning, Israel has released its evidence. First, they released drone footage and videos showing the impact site — showing a tiny crater and not much damage to surrounding buildings. They have released radar evidence of the barrage of rockets fired at the same time as the explosion, with the path being directly above the hospital. Additionally, they have released audio they claim is from two Hamas terrorists discussing the explosion — and detailing how the rocket seems to be locally produced, not Israeli — possibly a PIJ rocket. Irresponsible propagation of inaccurate or incomplete facts is beneath an organization of MSF/Doctors Without Border’s caliber. It may have been just one poorly judged tweet, but moments like these undermine the need for the organization to stay above conflicting parties and the political fray to do its work to help innocents. On their website it is stated: “MSF is an independent and impartial medical humanitarian organization.” Broadcasting inaccurate or incomplete information prematurely compromises their mission and adds fuel to further animosity. No doubt the credibility and usual moral high ground of organizations and leaders such as MSF/DWB who jumped to this conclusion added justification for the violent protests that happened in the region in response to this explosion. Along with intense Israel-blaming media coverage, leaders of nations in the Middle East were quick to broadcast an assumed narrative - and perhaps subsequently caused King Abdullah II and President El Sisi to be less likely to meet with President Biden to discuss solutions. As such, a small tweet can cause more deaths and ultimately delay efforts at humanitarian aid or a cease-fire. I have donated thousands of dollars to MSF/DWB over the years. I contacted them today and asked that they remove or update this tweet. As of this writing, it remains on X exactly the same as it was first trumpeted 24 hours ago. I am a family doctor. We all need to be on the side of non-combatants, families, children, and peacemakers on both sides. I hope Doctors Without Borders hears my grave concerns and those of similar others, quickly. They should apologize for blaming Israel prematurely and with devastating effects, true to their mission of independence and impartiality. [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/10/18/2200218/-Doctors-Without-Borders-Crosses-a-Red-Line-with-their-Blame-for-Gaza-Hospital-Bombing?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=latest_community&pm_medium=web Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/