Calling out Al-Arabiya?

Maybe its me but Hamas PM Ismail Hanai is calling out  Al-Arabiya  in this interview.   Go to  01:30.   He says something along the lines of ” I want to take this opportunity to express  mine and  the Palestinian people’s great esteem for the noble role Al-Jazeera carries out, in addition to the other Satellite stations that were committed to the Umma’s causes, especially the Palestinian cause.” 

Being a good diplomat/ politician, Hanai  never explicitly mentions Al-Arabiya by name, but (at least in my view) by declaring that Al-Jazeera are other are committed  to the Umma’s causes, he is subtly saying that some stations are not,especially since its pretty unusual to hear any reference to the quality of their coverage on Al-Jazeera.   A 12 year old Arab who barely follows politics would immediately understand the reference:  Al-Jazeera stands for the Umma’s causes, whereas other unanmed stations, such as Arabiya, do not. 

This is something to keep in mind when trying to gauge the significance of interviews by high level politicians on Al-Arabiya.   In the majority of Arab eyes, its seen as a tool of the Saudi royal family.  If you want to really engage the masses, you gotta go on Al-Jazeera.  It can’t be avoided.

Check this blog out…

Readers looking for good national security blogs should take a look at  The_Stupidest_Man_on_Earth which features good coverage on Afghanistan/ Pakistan by a Finnish journalist named Jari Lindholm.  Who exactly is the stupidest man? I’m not sure but this blog is worth checking out.