Stanisland Magazine

Opinion: Former US President Barack Obama offers insight through carefully measured bias

Former President Barack Obama released a statement on Gaza offering a very open yet probing look into his biases. His allegiance to Israel has never been a secret, and he’s often spoken in a precise way. However, his clinical technique is incredibly flawed, as it offers the reader clarity of his prejudices. 

On X, Obama released a statement regarding the now in effect ceasefire between Hamas and Tel-Aviv:

“After two years of unimaginable loss and suffering for Israeli families and the people of Gaza, we should all be encouraged and relieved that an end to the conflict is within sight; that those hostages still being held will be reunited with their families; and that vital aid can start reaching those inside Gaza whose lives have been shattered. More than that, though, it now falls on Israelis and Palestinians, with the support of the U.S. and the entire world community, to begin the hard task of rebuilding Gaza – and to commit to a process that, by recognizing the common humanity and basic rights of both peoples, can achieve a lasting peace.”

His comments showcase a complete disregard for the human cost of events that  are far from a conflict. The use of this word implies a balance of force on both sides.

READ MORE: Jennifer Lawrence Calls Gaza Suffering A “Genocide”

In reality, this simply isn’t the case. Israel has received more than $34 billion in US aid alone, not counting the contributions of the European Union and Canada. Palestine receives virtually nothing. More than 70,000 people have been killed in the genocide, though many scholars put the number much higher. 

“People” Not “Families”

His use of particular words offer readers easy pickings to analyse where his allegiances lie. There’s a bold linguistic bias in play in his choice of words: Israeli’s have “families”, but Palestinians are simply the “people of Gaza”. Israel has “hostages”, while Gazans are just those who “need aid”. 

He knows exactly what he’s doing. Obama doesn’t write his speeches, but he carefully instructs those who do. Politicians do this with surgical precision and it’s all about psychology.