Cracks in the US-Israel relationship are beginning to show | The Listening Post

Al Jazeera English
30 Mar 202424:57

Summary

TLDRThe United Nations Security Council passes a ceasefire resolution in response to the crisis in Gaza, but its effectiveness is questioned as Israel continues its actions and the US calls it non-binding. The role of media in shaping public opinion is highlighted, with Western media criticized for biased coverage. Additionally, the use of mass surveillance by Israel in Gaza and the political strategy of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi's re-election campaign are discussed, emphasizing the power of technology and messaging in contemporary politics.

Takeaways

  • 🌍 A ceasefire resolution at the United Nations regarding Gaza was passed, marking a significant moment despite Israel's non-compliance and the US's declaration of it being non-binding.
  • πŸ“‘ The resolution's defiance by Israel and the lack of enforcement highlight challenges in the international rules-based order, where rules are selectively applied.
  • πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ The US's stance of supporting the resolution's objectives while labeling it non-binding illustrates complex political dynamics and undermines the resolution's impact.
  • πŸ” The lack of interest from American news outlets in the story underscores media biases and the influence of domestic politics on coverage of international events.
  • πŸ”Ž Accusations against the UN of anti-Semitism by Israeli officials reflect tensions and the complex history of Israel's relationship with the UN.
  • πŸ“² Narendra Modi's reelection campaign in India is powered by an extensive ground campaign and a digital blitz, leveraging WhatsApp and social media.
  • πŸ—³οΈ Modi's government's control over mainstream media and its portrayal in a positive light showcase the interplay between politics and media in shaping public perception.
  • πŸ›°οΈ Israel's use of surveillance technology in Gaza for control and monitoring raises human rights and privacy concerns.
  • πŸ’‘ The BJP's election strategy in India combines extensive volunteer networks and digital platforms, showcasing the power of technology in modern political campaigns.
  • 🚫 Criticism of the UN special rapporteur on Palestine by the US and Israeli governments highlights the contentious nature of discourse surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Q & A

  • What was the significance of the United Nations Security Council resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gaza?

    -The resolution was significant as it marked the first time the UN Security Council called for a ceasefire in Gaza, and it represented a potential shift in the international community's stance towards Israel's actions. However, the US's characterization of the resolution as 'non-binding' and Israel's defiance of it complicate the situation and raise questions about the effectiveness of such resolutions.

  • How has the Israeli media reacted to the UN's call for a ceasefire?

    -The Israeli media has shown almost unanimous opposition to the UN vote, with some officials dismissing the UN as anti-Semitic. This reaction reflects a broader narrative in Israel that views international criticism as biased and unjustified.

  • What does the US's stance on the UN resolution's binding nature indicate?

    -The US's claim that the resolution is 'non-binding' suggests a reluctance to pressure Israel into changing its actions. This stance has been criticized as hypocritical and politically motivated, as it undermines the authority of the UN Security Council and sends a message to Israel that it can act with impunity.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 UN Ceasefire Resolution and International Reactions

A ceasefire resolution was passed at the United Nations, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, marking a significant event despite Israel's refusal to comply and the U.S. declaring it non-binding. This resolution's passage could signify a pivotal moment in Israel's increasing international isolation, challenging its Western backers. The resolution, defied by Israel through its continued bombardment of Palestinians, complicates the defense of Israel's actions by its allies. The lack of interest from American media and the resolution being labeled non-binding by the U.S. ambassador to the UN raises questions about the enforcement and implications of such resolutions. Despite the resolution, the violence and killing in Gaza by Israeli forces continued, underscoring the deep challenges in implementing and honoring ceasefire agreements.

05:03

πŸ“° Media Coverage and Domestic Politics Influencing International Perceptions

The story explores the complex dynamics between media coverage, domestic politics, and international relations, focusing on the lack of American media attention to the UN ceasefire resolution and its implications for Israel and the U.S. This neglect is attributed to domestic political considerations, especially within the U.S., where media outlets aligned with the Democratic Party are cautious about covering the resolution unfavorably ahead of presidential elections. The narrative also touches on the consistent portrayal of Palestine in Western media through an Israeli lens, influenced by social media's rise, which challenges mainstream narratives and exposes the limitations of Western media's coverage on issues like the Israeli forces raiding hospitals in Gaza.

10:04

πŸ” Surveillance, Elections, and Propaganda in Conflict and Politics

This section delves into the use of surveillance technology by Israel in Gaza and its implications for the Palestinian population, illustrating a broader trend of technology's role in conflict and control. It further transitions into the political landscape in India, highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reelection campaign's reliance on a combination of ground-level volunteer networks and digital messaging, particularly through WhatsApp, to influence voters and spread propaganda. This narrative underscores the evolving nature of political campaigns and governance in the digital age, where technology plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion and election outcomes.

15:06

πŸ“² Modi's Political Strategy and the BJP's Dominance

The narrative focuses on Narendra Modi's political strategy, emphasizing his effective use of media and technology to bolster his image and the BJP's dominant position in Indian politics. It details Modi's omnipresence in Indian media, his strategic use of WhatsApp to communicate directly with the electorate, and the BJP's comprehensive messaging tailored to various constituencies. The piece highlights the financial and organizational strength of the BJP, including its extensive volunteer network and the significant financial resources at its disposal, enabling an unparalleled election strategy and emphasizing the party's ambition and the challenges it poses to the democratic playing field in India.

20:07

πŸ—³οΈ Electoral Bonds Controversy and Modi's Campaign Innovations

This section examines the controversy surrounding electoral bonds in India and their impact on the BJP's funding, leading to a discussion on the broader implications for democracy and transparency. The narrative describes how the BJP leveraged these funds to craft a pervasive public relations campaign and build an organizational behemoth, outmatching opposition parties in reach and resources. It also portrays the BJP's strategic approach to electioneering, including personalized voter outreach and the exploitation of digital platforms for propaganda, underscoring the sophistication of Modi's campaign strategy and its implications for the political landscape in India.

Mindmap

Keywords

πŸ’‘Ceasefire Resolution

A ceasefire resolution refers to an agreement or proposal made within international bodies like the United Nations to halt hostilities between conflicting parties for a certain period. In the context of the video, a ceasefire resolution was passed concerning the conflict in Gaza, aiming to pause the violence. Despite the resolution's passage, it's mentioned that Israel did not honor it, and the US deemed it non-binding. This reflects the complex dynamics of international politics, where resolutions, even when passed, may not lead to immediate changes on the ground due to the positions and actions of influential member states.

πŸ’‘International Isolation

International isolation occurs when a country faces widespread condemnation or distancing from the global community, often due to its policies or actions. The video suggests that Israel's continued bombardment and treatment of Palestinians could mark a pivotal moment leading to its increased international isolation, especially as the US declined to veto a UN resolution demanding a ceasefire. This concept is significant because it underscores the potential consequences of international relations and diplomacy, affecting a nation's standing and support globally.

πŸ’‘UN Security Council

The UN Security Council is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, charged with ensuring international peace and security. It has the power to make legally binding decisions that member states are obligated to follow. The video discusses a specific instance where the Security Council passed a resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, highlighting the council's role in addressing international conflicts. However, it also points out the complexities, as the US labeled the resolution 'non-binding', challenging the usual understanding of Security Council resolutions' authority.

πŸ’‘Non-binding

In international law, 'non-binding' refers to agreements, resolutions, or declarations that do not carry legal obligations for the parties involved. The video mentions the US ambassador to the UN arguing that, unlike other Security Council resolutions, the one on Gaza's ceasefire was non-binding. This statement is controversial as it contradicts the general view that Security Council resolutions are legally binding, indicating a deviation in how different actors interpret or wish to adhere to international norms and laws.

πŸ’‘Ethnic Cleansing

Ethnic cleansing involves the removal of a certain ethnic or religious group from a specific area through force or intimidation to create a homogenous region. The video describes the situation in Gaza as involving aspects of ethnic cleansing, compounded by Israeli surveillance technology. This terminology underscores the severity of the conflict's impact on the civilian population, highlighting human rights concerns and the drastic measures taken against Palestinians.

πŸ’‘Surveillance Technology

Surveillance technology includes various tools and systems used for monitoring and collecting information on individuals or groups. The video outlines how Israel employs such technology in Gaza, part of a broader strategy to control and suppress the Palestinian population. This utilization of technology for surveillance in conflict zones raises ethical and privacy concerns, especially regarding the impact on civilians' rights and freedoms.

πŸ’‘WhatsApp

WhatsApp is highlighted in the video as a tool used in Narendra Modi's reelection campaign in India, demonstrating the platform's power in disseminating information and influencing public opinion. The mention of WhatsApp underscores the significance of social media and messaging apps in modern political campaigns, allowing for direct communication with voters and the spread of propaganda or disinformation.

πŸ’‘International Rules-based Order

This term refers to the concept of conducting international relations according to a set of agreed-upon rules and norms, including respect for sovereignty, human rights, and legal obligations. The video critiques the selective application of these rules, as evidenced by the US and Israel's response to the UN ceasefire resolution. The discussion points to a broader debate on the effectiveness and fairness of the international system, particularly when powerful states may bypass or reinterpret the rules to their advantage.

πŸ’‘Mainstream Media

Mainstream media refers to the predominant mass media outlets that reach a large audience. The video criticizes the American mainstream media's lack of interest in the UN resolution on Gaza, suggesting a bias or unwillingness to challenge the US government's position. This concept is crucial for understanding the role media plays in shaping public opinion and the narrative around significant events, revealing potential biases and gaps in coverage.

πŸ’‘Genocide

Genocide involves deliberate actions aimed at destroying, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. The video mentions a report titled 'Anatomy of a Genocide' regarding Israel's actions in Gaza, indicating the severe level of accusation against Israeli policies towards Palestinians. This term is significant as it represents one of the most serious accusations in international law, reflecting on the gravity of the conflict's impact on the Palestinian population.

Highlights

The United Nations Security Council passes a ceasefire resolution, marking a pivotal moment for Israel's international isolation.

The US declines to use its veto, signaling a potential shift in its stance towards Israel's actions.

Israel continues its bombardment and defiance of the UN resolution, highlighting the difficulty for Western backers to defend its actions.

American news outlets show a lack of interest in covering the story, possibly due to discomfort with the implications of the US's mixed message on international rules.

The US ambassador to the UN incorrectly claims the resolution is non-binding, which is contrary to the UN Charter and could embolden Israel's defiance.

Israel's media shows near-unanimous opposition to the UN vote and a lack of interest in international law or criticism.

The Indian election campaign uses technology and social media, including WhatsApp, to spread propaganda and influence voters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party, the BJP, has a significant advantage in media coverage and funding, which could impact the election's fairness.

The BJP's extensive ground network and messaging strategy create a powerful electoral machine that reaches every corner of the country.

The Indian election process is marked by a lack of a level playing field, with the BJP dominating the political landscape.

Israel's use of surveillance technology in Gaza contributes to a dystopian reality for Palestinians, with severe consequences for those wrongly identified as threats.

The UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine publishes a report titled 'Anatomy of a Genocide,' which is rejected by both the Israeli government and the US State Department.

The US State Department's spokesman is criticized for accusing the UN Special Rapporteur of anti-Semitism without evidence, reflecting a pattern of attempting to discredit critics of Israel.

The Israeli military uses Gaza as a testing ground for new methods of killing and spying on Palestinians, turning the area into a 'hellscape'.

The BJP's use of electoral bonds has made it the wealthiest political party in India, allowing it to fund an extensive PR and organizational machine.

The BJP's messaging strategy focuses on presenting Modi as a strong, unapologetic leader and a symbol of development for India.

The Indian political landscape is deeply polarized, with domestic politics influencing media coverage and public opinion.

The international community's double standards and hypocrisy are exposed by the situation in Gaza, leading to a loss of moral authority.

The BJP's extensive use of social media and technology in elections represents a new frontier in political campaigning, with potential implications for democracy.

Transcripts

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finally a ceasefire resolution passes at

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the United Nations but what difference

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does it make when Israel will not honor

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it and the US calls it

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non-binding in Gaza the horrors of

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ethnic cleansing are compounded by

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Israeli surveillance technology and

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Narendra modi's reelection campaign in

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India powered by an army of foot

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soldiers on the ground and a messaging

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Blitz on

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WhatsApp

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this past week's United Nations security

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Council resolution demanding a ceasefire

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in Gaza the first to do so is

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significant although not for the reasons

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its authors may have intended the

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passage of the resolution at the highest

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body of the UN with the US declining to

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use its veto could Mark a pivotal moment

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in Israel's increasing International

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isolation for its Western backers the

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fact that Israel through its continued

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bombardment and starvation of

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Palestinians is defying that resolution

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makes their role that much harder to

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defend in the Israeli media the

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opposition to the UN vote is almost

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unanimous more striking is the lack of

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interest from American news outlets the

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implications this story raises are a

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little uncomfortable for them as well

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they hit close to home because a fallacy

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has been exposed the one about the

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us-led inter interntional rules-based

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order in which the rules are selectively

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applied we those in favor of the draft

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resolution please there raise their hand

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it was the ultimate mixed message sent

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from Washington to Tel Aviv that upon

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examination amounts to some cynical

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politics

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abion for at least 32,000 Palestinians

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in G

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including those who have been starved to

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death in front of our eyes the ceasefire

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resolution that passed at the United

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Nation Security Council this past week

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comes too late for those still getting

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killed by Israel's bombing of Rafa the

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patients and medical staff at alifa

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hospital still getting shot by Israeli

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soldiers it has had no discernable

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effect after vetoing three previous

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ceasefire resolutions the American

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government finally allowed this one

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which would last just 2 weeks to carry

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but the US's ambassador to the UN then

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argued incorrectly according to Legal

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experts that unlike every other

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resolution the security Council has ever

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passed this one was in a category of its

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own that it was somehow

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non-binding we fully support some of the

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critical objectives in this non-binding

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resolution and we I hope she was being

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merely rhetorical because she certainly

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can't can't be speaking from a legal

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perspective all un Security Council

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resolutions are binding the UN Charter

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makes that perfectly clear it then takes

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another resolution to determine what

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actions will be taken if the parties

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defy it as Israel uh has said it's going

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to do but whether or not it's enforced

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it's certainly binding as a matter of

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law if the Americans are arguing that

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this is a non-binding resolution they

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are winking at Netanyahu by saying you

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really don't have to implement it the

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message to the Israelis is that you can

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carry on with the war until you achieve

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whatever objectives you have in mind I

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don't think uh Benjamin Netanyahu cares

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much about the International Community

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the United Nations security Council the

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UN they've made it clear within minutes

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of the resolution passing that the

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Israelis have no intention of abiding by

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it and indeed less than 24 hours after

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the passage of that resol olution about

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17 Palestinians were killed in an

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Israeli bombardment with scores of

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others injured so the message is clear

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Israel has no intention of abiding by

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resolution 2728 call on the parties to

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um cease

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fire the Netanyahu government put on a

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display of outrage over the Biden

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administration's refusal to veto the

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resolution by initially cancelling a

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visit by an Israeli delegation to

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Washington before or quietly

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rescheduling it it could have recalled

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its defense minister yoab Galant who was

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already in DC Shoring up more American

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Arms shipments to Israel it did not

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other political figures like security

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minister itamar benir dismissed the UN

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as

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anti-semitic this in a country that owes

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its very existence to the United Nations

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on the Israeli Airwaves the calls for

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Palestinian blood keep

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coming and partisan domestic politics

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are also a big part of the mix cast our

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mind back pre October 7th where you have

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a deeply polarized

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Society the anti- BBY Camp the

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demonstrations every week and the pro

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BBY Camp reaction splits along those

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lines what you will see from journalists

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in the anti-b camp is aha he we have bi

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destroying the reputation of

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Israel for the other

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side this is dangerous un America losing

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its

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way

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who's the guy who can stand up to this

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you guessed it Benjamin

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Nat what stands out in the American

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media coverage of this story is the

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noticeable lack of it for the US to fail

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to side with Israel at the UN is almost

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unheard of and is certainly newsworthy

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couple that with the legal side of the

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story The us arguing that a security

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Council resolution is somehow not

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binding one would expect journalists to

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test that position pick it apart we're

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not seeing that neither are American

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News consumers and like Israel domestic

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politics in the US are having an impact

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there has been a great deal of lack of

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interest uh uh in American media

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especially the so-called liberal media

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in the United States regarding the

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resolution the Biden Administration is

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trying to avoid the Fallout of the

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exstension and therefore media that are

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supportive of the democratic party made

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sure that they really did not dedicate

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so much time and coverage so that they

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would minimize any possible

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repercussions that would be exploited by

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their opponents in the Republican Party

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especially a few months before the

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presidential elections the lack of

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coverage it's consistent with the manner

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in which the question of Palestine has

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been

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represented in the uh West

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uh in mainstream media and that has

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basically been through the prism of an

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Israeli lens you're not Hamas Israel is

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a democracy and uh as a Jewish State uh

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supports and and believes in every life

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mattering and so and this is matched in

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Canadian and United Kingdom and other

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Western States foreign policies it's

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harder for the Western mainstream media

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to continue uh with their biased

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coverage in large park because you have

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the proliferation of social media from

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the gazin street to the rest of the

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world and because of the extent to which

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mainstream media in particular is very

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sensitive about being criticized from uh

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Israel and its uh right-wing supporters

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in particular it's been shy uh uh to

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highlight actions that are deemed to be

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critical of Israel is now actually

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supporting genocide okay we could maybe

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just avoid that language if that's okay

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for now because that is

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something and obviously a us vote of

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abstention on Security Council

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resolution demanding a ceasefire would

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certainly be something that they would

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wish to ignore or minimize or sweep

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under the

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rug among the other stories getting

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swept under Israeli forces raiding

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hospitals in Gaza such as Al shifa

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producing horrific testimonies of the

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coldblooded execution

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[Music]

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starved and so on and that coverage that

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is coming from below is challenging the

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Western media coverage on these things

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the Western

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media even subconsciously is aware that

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it is feeding Into The Narrative of the

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demise of its

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own

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standing outside of a western

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space it's

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done no one takes seriously Weston

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claims to be standing up for

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international nor no one wants to hear

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it after Gaza the world will not be

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lectured to there's no moral Soap Box to

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stand

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on it has dissolved away in the double

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[Applause]

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standards and the naked

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transparency of the hypocrisy over Gaza

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that leaves us with a real problem we do

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not have a space that we can go

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to

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last year Amnesty International revealed

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that Israel was using facial recognition

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systems in the West Bank to entrench its

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occupation of Palestinians there new

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details have now emerged about the

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technology that Israeli solders are

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using in Gaza and Tark NAFA is here with

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more well for months now we've heard

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reports and seen videos of Palestinians

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forced from their homes Crossing

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checkpoints where they are scanned by

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isra isi cameras some of these videos

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are truly dystopian in addition to being

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watched Palestinians are also harassed

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by Israel

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forces this week a New York Times piece

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revealed more information about the mass

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surveillance Israel has deployed on

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Palestinians in Gaza according to

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Israeli intelligence officials who spoke

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to the times anonymously it's part of an

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expansive and experimental effort to

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collect C and catalog the faces of

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Palestinians without their knowledge or

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consent developed by a private Israeli

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company called corite Israeli officials

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say the system was initially used to

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search for Israeli captives in Gaza but

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has since been used on a much wider

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scale to hunt down Hamas suspects one of

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the problems with this kind of

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Technology as one Israeli officer

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confirms is that it routinely gets it

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wrong with Israeli soldiers accused of

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abusing torturing and executing

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Palestinians in Gaza the consequences of

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being incorrectly identified as a Hamas

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fighter can cost you your life the

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Israeli military has always used Gaza as

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a lab in which it can test and develop

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new ways of killing or spying on

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Palestinians artificial intelligence is

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reportedly being used to generate

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Targets in Gaza facilitating what one

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Former Intelligence officer has called a

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mass assassination Factory we've also

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seen several videos of Israeli drones

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shooting at and killing unarmed

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Palestinians all of this technology has

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turned Gaza into a hellscape in which at

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least 32 and a half thousand

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Palestinians have been killed by Israeli

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forces thank you TK in just under 3

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weeks time on April 19th India will

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begin a 6 week long election process

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cess for its next national government it

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will all culminate on June 1st and prime

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minister Narendra Modi is expected to

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win an historic third term in office

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Mod's popularity ratings are high many

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of his opponents are mired in corruption

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cases filed by Mod's government and then

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there's the news media mainstream

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outlets in India have been almost

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entirely captured by modi's party the

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BJP churning out coverage that ranges

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from the sycophantic to the openly Pro

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government and that surval media

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landscape may not be the most powerful

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weapon in the bjp's Arsenal it also has

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a formidable get out the vote machine

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that combines an extensive volunteer

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network with the power of WhatsApp to

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influence voters spread propaganda and

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at times soow disinformation the

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listening posts Mino shiavi now on the

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all-encompassing information ecosystem

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that is likely to help putting NRA Modi

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back in the prime minister's office in

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New

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Delhi Indians have grown used to the

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omnipresence of their prime minister

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he's on billboards he's in the papers

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both in ads and in the news TV channels

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seem to have little else to cover and on

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March 16th the very day the dates for

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India's elections were

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announced Narendra Modi was whatsapping

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the country a letter from the Prime

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Minister was delivered straight into the

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phones of hundreds of millions of

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[Music]

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Indians the transformation that has

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taken place in the lives of people is

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the biggest achievement of our

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government over the last 10 years it is

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your support that gives me immense

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strength I am confident that we will

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continue to take our nation to Great

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Heights

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together it was unvarnished election

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hearing by the ruling part party using

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the resources and access to phone number

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databases of the government and it was

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unsurprising it was all happening on

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WhatsApp technology is very much part of

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the Arsenal which the BJP or prime

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minister Narendra Modi uses the BJP

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understood before any other party every

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Indian may not have literacy and public

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health and so on so forth but they have

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their cell phones India has the cheapest

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data in the world so the BJP in areas

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where it wishes to contest seriously it

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develops messaging for each constituency

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that was something that Prime Minister

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Modi and the Baria J party understood

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very well Mr Amit sha who is actually

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virtually the number two to Mr Modi in

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the within the BJP few years ago while

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speaking to party workers he had

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actually boasted you know it is very

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easy for us to take the message because

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we have the largest WhatsApp Network in

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the

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country

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now that was not a Bast that is actually

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true you actually have a centralized

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cell within the BJP which actually in

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the morning it decides okay these are

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today's messages which are to be

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publicized and they're kind of broadcast

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to various parts of the country

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the bjp's messaging is carefully

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tailored and highly produced with the

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party's star campaigner front and center

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in virtually all of

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[Music]

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it the Modi motorade drives through

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throngs of cheering Indians the videos

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from that make it to Whatsapp groups

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YouTube shorts and Instagram reels the

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Prime Minister hangs out with kids in

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schools and presents 20-some social

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media influencers with awards from the

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government

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he prays at multiple temples with

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cameras in tow even if the holy sight is

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underwater those clips don't just stay

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on social media they make the Evening

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News bulletins look closely on his

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screens he even decided to go underwat

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to pray at the submerged dwara all this

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is part of media strategy creating a

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nationwide

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perception that Narendra Modi as the

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leader of this ruling party wants to

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take India

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forward wants to create a developed

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India and make it the third largest

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economy in the

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world one senior leader of the BJP had

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said about Mr Modi he said for Narendra

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Modi elections is a battle of images and

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that is what the Indian Prime Minister

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has shown himself to be very good at and

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you can agree with this ideology his

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policies or disagree but it is his

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skills at political marketing that have

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been noticed we must remember that in

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India democracy Works in different uh

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language zones so the question is how do

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you recognize a party

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Modi electoral symbols are important in

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the case of Prime Minister Modi it is

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the recognition value of the Modi name

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the Modi face he has different personas

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that he has presented to the

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public one is that of a term called

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visha Guru which means world leader his

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performance on the international stage

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is constantly projected back

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home the other aspect of the messaging

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is that of being a strong an apologetic

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Hindu who goes and leads ceremonies in

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temples almost performs like a head

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priest some of his party people have

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likened him to a Godlike figure the

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messaging is extremely comprehensive

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which is according to data the most

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expensive in India's history the bjp's

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finances are formidable the party is the

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wealthiest in India its funds boosted by

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a financial tool it launched in 2017

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called an electoral bond this powerful

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instrument ushered in a wave of

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political donations to numerous parties

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across India the bulk of the money

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however nearly 60% went to the BJP

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amounting to about 60 billion rupees

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more than 725 million earned between

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2017 and just 2 months ago February 2024

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when the Supreme Court declared

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electoral bonds illegal due to their

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lack of transparency the money is in the

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bjp's coffers though and it it Powers

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not just an incessant stream of PR but

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also an impressive organizational

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Behemoth that underpins the party's

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election strategy on paper today the BJP

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is the largest political party in the

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world it is larger than the Communist

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Party of

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[Music]

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China so there is a huge network of

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party volunteers who was spread across

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the country besides that it's very

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important to understand that the BJ is

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not a standalone organization but it is

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part of a fairly large ideological

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umbrella group the S parar it's an

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organization which was formed in 1925

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almost 100 years ago and everywhere they

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have a presence so during elections it

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is not just the BJP which is out

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campaigning but you have leaders and

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cader which fan out to virtually every

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village and every electoral booth in the

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country I think the do too campaigning

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uh is a very effective method you know

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each page of the Electoral roles is

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assigned to one person so that person

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goes you know to the visits the families

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to try and to find out have they

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benefited from the policies and the

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programs of the party if not why not it

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is a party that's driven with the will

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to par and therefore every tool becomes

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very important for them now

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[Applause]

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[Music]

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the other query we must ask is the

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playing field now a level playing field

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for the BJP and the opposition and we

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must as journalists it's our job to flag

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that yet for all the many problems that

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the opposition faces they are going to

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put up candidates and fight the BJP but

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the BJP is working on a very very simple

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tack that they part of the messaging

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right now is to say there is no

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alternative to us that is all part of

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the hype Modi versus whom you know that

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Modi is the only answer to

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India back to Israel Gaza the US and the

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UN this past week the United Nations

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special raor on Palestine Francesca

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Alban published an extensive report the

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title anatomy of a genocide which the

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Netanyahu government says it utterly

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rejects so apparently does the US state

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department its Chief spokesman Matthew

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Miller said of Alban I can't help but

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note a history of anti-Semitic comments

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that she has made Miller needs to do

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some research the Israeli government has

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been accusing Alan of anti-Semitism for

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years now conflating her legitimate

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criticism of an illegal occupation for a

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form of hatred and in late 2022 65

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Scholars all experts on anti-Semitism

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endorsed Alban's work saying that

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Israel's supporters are simply out to

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silence her some online voices have

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described Matthew Miller's comments as a

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new low for the Biden Administration but

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it's not like we haven't heard that

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before we'll see you next time here at

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the listening

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post

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