Irish Times - 'Biting the hand that feeds'

FYI

A headline in the Irish Times reads 'Biting the hand that feeds: Irish aid director's convoy attacked'.

The story concerns an attack on the director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), John Ging, by armed gunmen. The report offers no details as to who the gunmen are suspected of being linked to. Whether they had political ties or were simply criminals.

But that irrelevant, what sort of impression are the Irish Times trying to give with the headline?

Are the Palestinians to be considered animals? Biting the hand that feeds them?

I realise it's an idiom, but why bother? The report is only a few paragraphs long, contains only minor facts and no opinion, other than that to be inferred in the headline. Surely 'Irish aid director's convoy attacked' would have been sufficient?

There's no doubt the attack is unquestionably reprehensible, but it was perpetrated by only three people. The picture the headline seems to paint is of an ungrateful country, on the back of the actions of a couple of criminals. The country should be more grateful for the scraps it is thrown and the lip service to human rights it is shown by the UN. All in the face of international indifference to the suppression by their Israeli neighbours.

http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/world/2007/0317/1173880425739.html

copacetic

I think the headline was ok considering this was a major shock to the UN. I believe it is the first time ever a UN member has come under direct attack?
He was working to help and was attacked, thats pretty much on point
with the 'biting the hands that feeds' comment.

I'd imagine that the UN will be reviewing security for all personell and possibly withdrawing them from some activities that may put them in danger.

syberspud

All in the face of international indifference to the suppression by their Israeli neighbours.

In fairness, the state of Israel hasn't been given much room to negotiate thanks to the Palestinians disastrous decision to place their future in the hands of the suicidal zealots that make up Hamas.

FYI

syberspud wrote:

In fairness, the state of Israel hasn't been given much room to negotiate thanks to the Palestinians disastrous decision to place their future in the hands of the suicidal zealots that make up Hamas.

Yes, Israeli oppression of the Palestinian people began when Hamas came to power. How could I forget.

syberspud

Doesn't change the fact that the democratically elected Palestinians governments official policy is to destroy Israel by violent Islamic revolution. Also:Alizard.jpg

luckat

Given the same character-count, how would you have headlined it, OP?