Crystal Silva-McCormick is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ (UCC) where she serves on the steering committee of the UCC Palestine Israel Network. She is a visiting instructor of evangelism and missions at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and a scholar with the Hispanic Theological Initiative.

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The Truth About Gaza Isn't Coming from the Empire’s Media

by Crystal Silva-McCormick 11-29-2023

Palestinians mourn local journalists Hassouna Sleem and Sary Mansour, who were killed in an Israeli strike on a house, at a hospital in the central Gaza Strip Nov. 19, 2023. Credit: Reuters/Stringer.

It is the norm for Western media outlets to silence and ignore the voices of Palestinians. Israel set up a blockade against Gaza beginning in 2007 in response to Hamas’ taking over the territory. By restricting the movement of goods and people in and out of the territory, Israel has created a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Israel has attempted to justify this blockade and the ensuing humanitarian crisis by characterizing Gazans specifically, and Palestinians in general, as “terrorists” — a characterization of Palestinians that is also prevalent in the United States.