One hundred and forty characters may not sound like much, but a lot can be communicated in that space when it's phrased in the right way.
One writer illustrated that well on Saturday when he posted a tweet about the Israeli soldier who was filmed shooting an unarmed and prostrate Palestinian in the head in Hebron.
The Palestinian, who moments before had allegedly attacked an Israeli soldier with a knife, died shortly thereafter. Since the incident occurred in late March, the Israeli soldier, Elor Azaria, has been heralded as a hero by some elements of Israeli society. Others have called the shooting a war crime.
Thousands of people rallied in support of the soldier at a concert in Tel Aviv last week. People at the rally shouted "He's a hero" and "Release the soldier." Azaria has been charged with manslaughter.
On Saturday, the author Steven Salaita posted this tweet:
How to become a hero in Israel:
— Steven Salaita (@stevesalaita) April 23, 2016
1. Approach an injured Palestinian
2. Raise your gun
3. Shoot him dead pic.twitter.com/f0BWeqjRs6
Since Saturday, it's been retweeted over 1,000 times and received over 500 favorites.
Salaita is an author and the Edward W. Said Chair of American Studies at the American University of Beirut. His latest book is Uncivil Rites: Palestine and the Limits of Academic Freedom.
--HS
