Insanely Biased AFP Dispatch of the Day

An Israeli soldier tackles a Palestinian protester dressed as Santa Claus or Father Christmas during at a protest against Israel's separation barrier in the village of Umm Salamunah near the biblical West Bank town of Bethlehem. Israeli guards beat five demonstrators during the protest on Friday, organisers said.
(AFP/Musa al-Shaer)

They don't even make an attempt at being objective in this non-bylined story.

It'd be interesting to know who put this agitprop together.

A Palestinian "protester" dons a Santa outfit, instigates some trouble with Israeli troops and this is the resulting headline:

'Father Christmas' beaten in West Bank demo: organisers

It's all downhill from there.

Israeli guards beat five demonstrators, including one dressed as Father Christmas, during a protest on Friday against Israel's separation barrier in the West Bank, organisers said.

About 50 Palestinian, Israeli and international peace activists attended the rally in the village of Um Salomona, near Bethlehem, the Biblical birthplace of Jesus that is preparing to celebrate Christmas.

Israeli border guards armed with truncheons briefly detained one activist and beat another five during the rally, the organisers told AFP, adding that one was wearing a Santa Claus costume.

No mention who these organisers are, what group they belong to, or whether they have any track record of pulling such transparent stunts to gain attention.

See, see, the Israelis are beating up Santa!

And AFP willingly plays along.

An Israeli army spokesman said there had been disorder at the protest and that several demonstrators who were briefly detained were subsequently released.

Israel says the massive barrier of electric fencing, barbed wire and concrete walls built across the West Bank is needed to stop potential attackers from infiltrating the country and attacking Jewish settlements on Arab land.

Yes, and it's been quite effective. Why tear down something that's working?

The Palestinians say the project is aimed at grabbing their land and undermining the viability of their promised state.

Good grief.