Between Israel and Palestine: how Russian TV covers the war

Coverage of the tragedy in Israel shed light on the entire current political situation. During the Soviet era, no matter what terrible things happened in the Promised Land, the Jewish state was always considered an aggressor and invader. However, after the collapse of the Land of Soviets, everything changed dramatically. Diplomatic relations have improved (previously there were none at all), Israel has become more of a friend than an enemy (and every year more and more a friend), but the former creatures of the Arab world have clearly faded into the background (and after all, once upon a time, how many Soviet leaders personally Mr. Comrade Yasser Arafat did not kiss passionately). Since Putin came to power, friendship with the former aggressor simply blossomed. Openly and secretly, we supported the policies of the Israelis, and the close personal contacts of our superiors (I still have before my eyes the picture of Benjamin Netanyahu and Vladimir Putin walking together, side by side, at the Moscow “Immortal Regiment” rally on Victory Day, May 9).

But now… Now the situation has changed dramatically, and this is how Vesti Nedeli (Russia 1) dealt with the beginning of the war in the Middle East. First, a report from the permanent correspondent there, bureau chief Sergei Pashkov. Israel’s position is given, the horror of what is happening is shown (as far as possible), and everyone is given the opportunity to understand who are the victims and who are the terrorist-aggressors.

However, there is now a different perspective for balance. Military correspondent of the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company Evgeniy Poddubny, after a multi-month business trip to Ukraine, becomes the chief of the North African Bureau. His version from the Gaza Strip is exactly the opposite: Israel itself is to blame for everything, intelligence failed, the vaunted army fled, and the impenetrable Merkava tank burns like a candle. Poddubny spares no epithets for the daring unexpected raid of the warriors of Islam, and compares the same Merkava tank with the German Leopards in Ukraine, which also burn for their dear soul.

Well, objectively, you say, all the canons of journalism have been observed: on the one hand, on the other. And why?

Yes, because we value Hamas again. And we appreciate Iran (which does its best to support Hezbollah, which has already begun shelling Israeli military bases in the north from Lebanon with mortars). Such important friends are not thrown away, which is why this war is covered in this way and not otherwise.

Well, Vladimir Solovyov could not help but say his word. And he said: “Look what they did to the old people, children, women. A Russian soldier is not capable of this, because he is a Christian, Orthodox. And you say Butch.”

BRAVO, THICK!

The other day, an extraordinary event took place on domestic TV: after a long, simply huge break, Tatyana Tolstoy appeared to the people.

Her unprecedented program “School of Scandal” together with Dunya Smirnova was closed in 2014. So television suffered a severe and irrevocable loss. Then Dunya married Chubais, made several good films, and Tatyana Nikitichna seemed to go into her crypt and write, write, write. What? Known only to experts from “What? Where? When?”, because after the inimitable “Kys” the traces of the writer disappear into the darkness. No, there was also a YouTube channel “White Noise”, but who saw that?

In general, I miss Tolstoy (I don’t say “we”, because you may have already forgotten who she is).

And so she appeared in Sergei Shargunov’s “Open Book” program on the “Culture” channel. What can I say… Looks great, speaks great. I wrote a book in memory of Alexander Timofeevsky, and if you could see with what love I write about him…

No matter how much they slander her, she is magnificent. These are the people we are missing from our long blue loud box. Bravo, Fat!

SILENCE IS GOLD

A miracle happened – the great mute spoke! Well, maybe not a great one, but just a very good coach Viktor Goncharenko (sometimes his last name is spelled with an “a”; he’s still a Belarusian).

Yes, he broke his vow of silence, and a week ago he gave the best, most significant, most profound and interesting interview in the world. After the match “Rostov” – “Ural”, which our hero coaches, a correspondent approached him and asked only three questions. And I received three full answers. Here they are.

– Let’s start with the penalty – did you understand this episode?

-…

— Is there a similar opinion regarding the red card?

-…

– Let’s make some substitutions. Five substitutions in the second half at different times. What were expected from the guys who took to the field?..

-…

This is not swearing, although the coach, despite all his intelligence, can. He’s a coach! No, this silence is a sign of consent. Or silence is golden.

Indeed, why? How much we talk, uttering empty, worthless, meaningless words. Words words words. Concussion of air.

After all, it’s clear without words. Everything is clear to the court. No need for unnecessary words, no need for words at all.

Our people are absolutely cunning, smart (to certain limits), and understanding. Then both questions and answers can be on the same level, the level of silent cinema. Like this, for example:

– … (this is a question).

– … (this is the answer).

Talk with your eyes alone. Or as it is in “That Same Munchausen”: “And you are by touch, by touch.”