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ALPERT AT LARGE - I think that most of us know better than to piss off the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), and particularly so when it applies to holding hostages that the IDF is willing to fight, kill, and die for.
That includes journalist Abdallah Aljamal, who reported for The Palestine Chronicle, a 501c (3) organization in the U.S. that appears to—at best—have a somewhat checkered past.
The United States House Ways and Means Chair, Representative Jason Smith, wants to remove The Palestine Chronicle’s tax-exempt status and benefits because it has individuals such as Abdallah Aljamal in its employ.
Or perhaps I should clarify: The “late” Abdallah Aljamal, who was previously in the employ of The Palestine Chronicle. Because the IDF killed him, his wife, and his physician father while rescuing three innocent men cruelly held hostage in Aljamal’s home in Gaza.
Of interest is that, while Israel is demanding answers from Al Jazeera (which Israel accused of employing Aljamal) Al Jazeera is furiously denying that Aljamal was in its employ.
Of equal interest is that Al Jazeera will go aggressively legal against anyone who accuses it of employing a man now known to be a (late) terrorist .
For one, I find this both fascinating and perhaps a bit comforting, in that my doubts about the credibility of Al Jazeera are frankly balanced with my observation that many associated with Al Jazeera appear to strive for honest journalism, and who are dedicated to achieving respect from the rest of the world.
Unlike the front for terrorism that we appear to see with The Palestine Chronicle, which is a a news network that appears to be eulogizing and covering for an awful man guilty holding several Israeli hostages in his home: Aljamal.
Aljamal, his wife, and his physician father were all slain by the IDF in the now-famous hostage rescue over this past weekend. Four Israelis (three men, one woman) were rescued, and they are happily safe and at home with their overjoyed families.
The woman rescued was Noa Argamani, age 26, who was one of the most widely recognized hostages of October 7th, 2023.
She was the one who was seen detained between two men on a motorcycle, screaming “Don’t kill me!” and frantically reaching out for anyone who might help her. She was emblematic of the nightmarish events of that terrible day, and happily she is now safe.
And let’s be frank—how many of us thought we’d EVER see her alive, and how many are surprised that ANY of the hostages are still alive?
And how many of us wonder now WHO among the other hostages might or might not be rescued alive?
On an important and related note, it should be mentioned that Chief Inspector Arnon Zmora, an officer in the special anti-terror unit of Yaman, was critically injured and died later of his injuries that occurred rescuing the aforementioned four hostages.
For those familiar with Israeli rescue operations, Mr. Zmora—like Mr. Aljamal, a man now described with the adjective “late”—knew of the high risk of dying in his job. Mr. Zmora is without hesitation considered a hero among his people, and throughout Israel and the civilized world.
So...YES, we have a startling and contrasting situation of two men, known as “the late” Abdallah Aljamal and “the late” Arnon Zmora” being treated like heroes among their two peoples.
Aljamal hid three hostages in his home, and is somehow a hero, and Zmora helped rescue those three hostages, and is more understandably a hero.
The numbers are being thrown around as to how many Palestinian “victims” knew or didn’t know about the hostages, and who died because they were between the IDF and the hostages.
But for those who still don’t really “get it”...
Do you know that there’s a difference between holding innocent hostages, versus being an innocent bystander?
Do you know that there’s a difference between supportive of (and knowing of) hostage-taking in your neighborhood, versus being an innocent bystander?
Do you know that the those trying to free those hostages will possibly harm or kill you if you’re in their way of freeing those hostages...because they’re innocent and you’re not?
But most importantly: do you know that if you’re supportive of hostage-taking...you’re not innocent?
(Kenneth S. Alpern, M.D, is a dermatologist who has served in clinics in Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside Counties, and is a proud husband and father. He was active for 20 years on the Mar Vista Community Council (MVCC) as a Board Member focused on Planning and Transportation, and helped lead the grassroots efforts of the Expo Line as well as connecting LAX to MetroRail. His latest project is his fictional online book entitled The Unforgotten Tales of Middle-Earth, and can be reached at [email protected]. The views expressed in this article are solely those of Dr. Alpern.)
