Writing for the Huffington Post a while back, Palestinian MP and frequent spokesman, Mustafa Barghouti, argued that, despite Israel’s disengagement from Gaza in August 2005, Israel is still the occupying power in Gaza. But more recently, Barghouti reiterated a view he first expressed on CNN, as Israeli tanks made their way into Gaza last Saturday night: “There is no doubt that today’s Israeli ground operation is aiming to re-occupy Gaza completely.” Only Barghouti can have it both ways! Israel is occupying Gaza – hence it is responsible for the humanitarian crisis! – and Israel is RE-occupying Gaza – hence it is the aggressor!

Logic may not be Barghouti’s strong suit – he could claim that Israel is re-occupying Gaza only if he first conceded that Israel was NOT the occupying power anymore. Or he could say that Israel is still occupying Gaza – and therefore one cannot re-occupy what one is already occupying. Not that one expects too much honesty from the Palestinian PR machine, but there used to be a certain degree of sophistication to their lying. Not anymore. Clearly, Palestinian propaganda is just not what it used to be.