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Tuesday, September 25 2007Happy Sukkot
As a gesture of solidarity with people who know a thing or two about structures both flimsy and fortified, the people celebrating the Sukkot festival in Sderot, I'm linking to Sderot Mom's holiday experience last year. Backspin's now on break, but I'll be blogging away on Sunday, Oct. 7. Enjoy the flickering candles below; I've been looking for an excuse to use a little gif animation. Happy Sukkot to all our readers.
Qassam Rockets: "A Manageable Irritant"
Columnist Ian Black thinks Qassam rockets are a "manageable irritant." Only someone working for The Guardian would think this way. Palestinian rocket attacks, mostly on the Negev town of Sderot, have become a manageable irritant - 12 people have been killed in seven years. Tell that to the "manageably irritated" families of the 13 people killed. See 1, 2, and 3. (Hat tip: IAS) Monday, September 24 2007September 24 Links
Livni to launch campaign to bar terrorist groups from office Summer surge lifting Israel to pre-intifada tourist numbers IDF arrests Hamas suspect hiding in Nablus weapons cache Sunday, September 23 2007Everything But Dandruff
Israel says that its policies in Gaza are designed to put pressure on the Palestinian population to in turn put pressure on those who fire crude home-made rockets from Gaza into the Israeli town of Sderot. Those rocket attacks are wrong. But it is also wrong to punish an entire population for the actions of a few -- actions that the schoolchildren of Gaza and their beleaguered parents are in any case powerless to stop. Benny Morris wrote an opposing commentary. Here are some additional points to consider: • Israel disengaged from the Gaza Strip. The well-being of Gaza's population is the responsibility of the Palestinian leadership. Despite Makdisi's assertions about Israeli responsibility, international law isn't clear cut. • We appreciate Makdisi's condemnation of the Qassams. In the absence of Hamas (or any other Palestinians) curbing the problem, does the professor offer an alternative solution? • Do the beleaguered Gaza parents who elected Hamas into power have any responsibility for the sorry state of affairs? September 23 Links
Rather's Unraveling Anchor Cult At State Dept., Blog Team Joins Muslim Debate The big lie about the 'Great Silencer' Brazil's Lesson to the Arabs
The Arabs could learn from Brazil how to treat Palestinian refugees. After the first of 117 fleeing Iraq arrived in Brazil, AFP writes: Brazil plans to give them identity papers so they will have the same status as Brazilian citizens. They will be enrolled in Portuguese classes and will receive monthly financial aid until they are able to support themselves, officials said. How do the Arabs treat their refugees? Ahmadinejad's US Tour '07
As if Columbia and the UN aren't friendly enough venues, the Iranian president is now scheduled to address the National Press Club via videolink. Diane Sawyer and Mike Wallace can toss softball questions without flying out to Tehran. UPDATE Sept. 23: 60 Minutes is Ahmadinejad's warm up act, where he gets to address the American public tonight UPDATE Sept. 23: Columbia dean John Coatsworth says the university would certainly invite Hitler to speak: If he were willing to engage in a debate and a discussion, to be challenged by Columbia students and faculty, we would certainly invite him. At least we don't have to worry about Jimmy Carter. Thursday, September 20 2007The Gray Lady's Expert Legal Opinion
The NY Times delivers its own expert opinion on Israel's legal responsibility for Gaza. Despite the fact that Israel's really entering an Unchartered Area of International Law, correspondent Steven Erlanger writes on his own authority: Under international law, Israel is considered an occupying power in Gaza, even though it has removed its troops and settlers from the territory. Denying civilians access to the necessities of life is considered collective punishment and a violation of international law under both the Hague and Geneva Conventions, although the amounts of resources like electricity considered essential could be subject to dispute. "It Will Be Judged By Rational Standards"
And mark your calendars: France 2 faces an October 3 deadline to voluntarily hand over the raw footage to the court. A November 14 hearing is scheduled to view it: Philippe Karsenty has scored a significant victory. The al Dura report has been questioned ever since it was first broadcast seven years ago. The 27-minutes of raw footage have served as a protective shield for Charles Enderlin and France 2—the “proof” that was never presented. Even after reputable journalists had viewed the footage and testified to its nature, it retained its magical quality and was used to discredit anyone who questioned the veracity of the al Dura report. Related reading: Storm Clouds Over Paris Bungled Headlines of the Day
Bungled headlines awards for The Independent and The Australian: Olmert cuts energy to Gaza Strip in reply to rocket fire Israel cuts power to 'enemy' Gaza You have to read the articles which both state the power's still on and no date has even been set for the threatened cutoff. Unchartered Area of International Law
A source who spoke on condition of anonymity explained that the term "hostile territory" was not a legal concept but rather the description of a practical fact. The government is saying that Gaza has been hijacked by terrorists. Hamas is not the lawful government of a sovereign state but it is effectively in charge. In these circumstances, the Gaza Strip is a "hostile territory." Wednesday, September 19 2007Dura Trial Just Got Interesting
Appelate Court Presiding judge Laurence Trébucq has demanded that France 2 hand over the 27-minutes of raw footage shot on the afternoon of September 30, 2000 by Talal Abu Rahmeh. France 2 lawyer Maïtre Bénédicte Amblard tried to convince the judge that the request was not appropriate, relevant, necessary or even advisable. But the judge wants to see the outtakes with her own eyes. This is the first time the French court has made such a demand that would be normal in the US system. The court will now be able to determine if the Al Dura shooting and tape was a fake, as many have alleged. Related reading: Joel Mowbray calls for the raw footage to be made public. "The Current Position"
Correspondents say that by formally declaring Gaza "hostile", Israel could argue that it is no longer bound by international law governing the administration of occupied territory to supply utilities to its 1.5 million inhabitants. Does international law really hold, as the BBC asserts, Israel legally responsible for administering Gaza? Calling Terror By Its Name
Israelis thwart terror attack "Militancy" doesn't do justice to Hamas' plans to shoot up busses carrying Israeli tourists to Jordanian hotels. (Hat tip: Headlines & Deadlines) Tuesday, September 18 2007September 18 Links
The media's dilemma 'Jenin, Jenin', now in court Boycotting Israel: The New Pariah on the Block The Trouble With Tenure US court won't reinstate Corrie suit Fatah, Hamas fight upends aid to Palestinian poor Iranian-Israeli thaw? Reviewers Reject "The Israel Lobby"
Walt & Mearsheimer's book receives harsh reviews in the mainstream media. See HonestReporting's latest communique: Reviewers Reject "The Israel Lobby". IDF Letter to France 2 TV
The French media analyst was found guilty of slandering France 2 and reporter Charles Enderlin after criticizing their coverage of Mohammed Dura. Karsenty's appeal is scheduled for tomorrow. The judge's decision will be announced about five weeks later. UPDATE: Richard Landes translated the letter into English. Monday, September 17 2007Concordia Revisited
Concordia University's Barnabe Geisweiller shares some impressions of a visit to the Palestinian areas. Did you expect any better from the school best known for rioting pro-Palestinian students? "Legitimate" Criticism of Israel
A new virulent strain of the old anti-Semitism is spreading worldwide. This hate — of a magnitude not seen in more than 70 years — is not just espoused by Iran's loony president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, or radical jihadists. The latest anti-Semitism is also now mouthed by world leaders and sophisticated politicians and academics. Their loathing often masquerades as "anti-Zionism" or "legitimate" criticism of Israel. But the venom exclusively reserved for the Jewish state betrays existential hatred. Matory's Missive
Free speech is part and parcel of healthy, vibrant democracy. Not all criticism of Israel stems from anti-Semitism. Criticism of Zionism is certainly legitimate. However, some criticism of Zionism does stem from anti-Semitism. How can one tell? Denying Jewish nationhood or Jewish rights to a homeland is anti-Semitic. It crosses the line just as denying Japanese nationhood or Japanese rights to a homeland would brand someone as anti-Japanese. No matter many Jewish or Zionist friends a well-meaning person has, millions of Jews will die if Palestinian terror organizations succeed in their oft-stated efforts to create a Palestinian state from the Jordan to the Mediterranean. Related reading (again): Unasked Questions Question of the Day
Reviewing Walt and Mearsheimer's book, Lee Smith asks: But here is one sticking point among many that Walt and Mearsheimer cannot account for: If realism holds that states act rationally in pursuit of their own interests, then how did Washington get away with acting irrationally for forty years? Either Washington has not acted irrationally, or Walt and Mearsheimer’s realist model is irrational, or both. IDF Demands Raw Dura Footage
With Philippe Karsenty's legal appeal to be heard in Paris on Wednesday, the IDF is now demanding that France 2 TV provide 27 minutes of unedited Mohammed Dura footage for the army's examination. The Jerusalem Post writes: The IDF is in urgent need of the footage, Am-Shalom said, because "it has been asked to comment on the ruling [against Karsenty] from October 19, 2006, on this issue, which is scheduled to be discussed in a French appellate court on September 19." Although France 2 is keeping the raw footage under wraps, here's what we know about it. Aussie MP Attacks Media Bias
The newspaper yesterday ran a news story, an opinion piece by Labor's Member for Melbourne Ports, Michael Danby, and two cartoons all lambasting Fairfax titles. Sunday, September 16 2007The Guardian's Bookworms
Here are a few books we'd like to see available through The Guardian: Battle Lines: The American Media and the Intifada The Other War: Israelis, Palestinians and the Struggle for Media Supremacy Covering the Intifada: How the Media Reported the Palestinian Uprising Eye on the Media Inside the Peace Tent
This Boston Globe staff-ed wants to see both Syria and Hamas invited to the upcoming Mideast peace summit. And the spoilers in the region, Hamas and Syria, will have to be brought inside the peace tent - if not by Israel and the United States, then by Abbas, the Saudis, and the other Arab states. Otherwise, it will be too easy for them to stage the sort of provocation that has subverted the chances for peace in the past. Syrian and Hamas participation in the planned peace summit only allows other spoilers like Iran and North Korea to deep six any peace plans. All The News That's Flit to Print
On a slow news day, count on the BBC for important, hard-hitting coverage. Correspondent Ian Pannell writes: For weeks now Cairo has been full of rumours about the president's health, or lack of it…. Where was Pannell during Mubarak's photo-op on Thursday?
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner (L) speaks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (R) during their meeting in Cairo September 13, 2007. REUTERS/Nasser Nuri (EGYPT) UPDATE Sept. 17: On the other hand, Time points out that the rumors are touching a raw nerve with the Mubarak regime: Two days earlier, a state security prosecutor charged the editor for threatening Egyptian security and interests by publishing articles alleging that the 79-year-old Mubarak's health had become shaky. . . .
National Aspirations: A Psychological Problem
John Whitbeck got op-ed space in the Christian Science Monitor to peddle a one-state solution: Traumatized by the Holocaust and perceived insecurity as a Jewish island in an Arab sea, Israelis have immense psychological problems in coming to grips with the practical impossibility of sustaining forever what most of mankind views as a racial-supremacist, settler-colonial regime founded upon the ethnic cleansing of an indigenous population. What Whitbeck really wants to say is that Jewish aspirations for a national homeland are nuts. But being too inhibited to say so outright, he has to rely on the "racial supremacy" charge. See Professor David Bernstein's response to Whitbeck's logic. Mohammed Dura Trial Update
Karsenty told MediaBackspin editor Pesach Benson by phone he's bringing new evidence to the hearing, evidence he will make available to the public tomorrow. The judge's ruling will be announced about five weeks later. Related reading: Storm Clouds Over Paris Wednesday, September 12 2007Happy Rosh HaShanah
Happy Rosh HaShanah to all our readers. May the new year be one of sweet blessings and peace. We'll resume blogging on Sunday.
Tuesday, September 11 2007Bungled Headline of the Day
All Headline News managed to squeeze in one last bungled headline before the coming Jewish new year. Dozens Hurt As Rocket Hits Gaza You have to read the article to find out that the dozens hurt were Israeli soldiers outside of Gaza. Walt, Mearsheimer and 9/11
“I will argue that that influence has been largely negative,’’ Mearsheimer said last night –the lobby has pushed U.S. policy in directions that are inimical to the interests of the U.S. American support for Israel over the Palestinians “fuels terrorism against the United States,’’ he argues, citing an “abundance’’ of anecdotal and statistical evidence that Israel’s “brutal’’ treatment of Palestinians has angered large sectors of the Arab world. “Not surprisingly,’’ he says, “that anger fuels terrorism toward the United States.’’ Contrast that with Norman Podhoretz, who hit the nail on head explaining that Al-Qaida is really at war with the West: The point is that if Israel had never come into existence, or if it were magically to disappear, the United States would still stand as an embodiment of everything that most these Arabs consider evil. Indeed, the hatred of Israel is in large part a surrogate for anti-Americanism. "An Excellent Exposition"
He's hardly neutral. Memri has a clip of Abourezk recently telling Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV that the Arabs involved in the 9/11 attacks "cooperated with Zionists." So you can see it coming when he describes Walt and Mearsheimer's book as "an excellent exposition." How do these periodicals select reviewers? (Hat tip: Elder of Ziyon) Monday, September 10 2007When Wolfensohn Met Hoagland
Soccer Dad lays out what happens when a former Mideast player discredited by developments hooks up with a columnist. . . . New Statesman Followup
Following up on a recent piece by Matthew Holehouse, the New Statesman gave a right of reply to the IDF's Capt. Benjamin Rutland. Palestinian Self-Censorship
As Hamas and Fatah battle for media supremacy, fearful journalists caught in the middle say the rules of the game are changing. Continue reading "Palestinian Self-Censorship" That Chilling Effect
PA security broke up a press conference at Hebron U. because the student council is affiliated with Hamas: Eyewitnesses told The Jerusalem Post dozens of policemen belonging to the Presidential Guard and the Preventive Security Force had attacked the participants, firing into the air and beating students and journalists with clubs. . . . We're seeing a chlll on Arab journalism. Hamas disbanded the Gaza chapter of the Palestinian journalists' union this week. And a Human Rights Watch press conference in Beirut was recently cancelled due to Hezbollah pressure. The cold front extends to Egypt. The Psychology of Myth-Busting
The conventional response to myths and urban legends is to counter bad information with accurate information. But the new psychological studies show that denials and clarifications, for all their intuitive appeal, can paradoxically contribute to the resiliency of popular myths. Read the whole article and judge for yourself what this means for media watchdogs like HonestReporting.
Sunday, September 9 2007Fact Checking
British columnist Richard Ingrams is entitled to his views on Walt and Mearsheimer, but he’s still responsible to get the facts straight. He wrote in The Independent: The professors demonstrate that the American invasion in 2003 not only had the support of Israel but also that the overriding aim of those (mostly Jewish) neocons who were urging Bush to invade was to assist Israel by getting rid of its menacing neighbour Saddam Hussein. The issue was stated quite simply by Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who said prior to the invasion: "When America succeeds in Iraq, Israel is safer." Unfortunately, it didn't work out like that. Olmert did make such a statement in, uh, March, 2007. Saturday, September 8 2007Hamas Disbands Journalists Union
Most of the union members are affiliated with Fatah. The new committee is to be headed by Hamas spokesman Tahir Al Nunu. Will this provide the British National Union of Journalists a convenient excuse to renew its boycott Israel? Friday, September 7 2007Apartheid Paradigm Shift
And when I arrived here, I started to grapple with the reality on the ground, and then I said, "Gee, I have to make a paradigm shift. I have to be objective." I know even some of my comrades don't believe when I say this is one, two and three, they say, "No, no, you are wrong on that." But for me, that has been the reality. Firstly, let's deal with one issue. Where people would say, you know, my belief was that Israel is the extension of the racist, white South Africa. Because that was my understanding before I came here. I regarded Jews as whites. Purely whites. But when I came here I discovered that, no, these guys are not purely whites. They are mixed. It's some kind of a, shall we say, a melting pot. You've got people from all over the world. You've got Indian Jews, you've got African Jews, you've got even Chinese Jews, right? (Hat tip: IAS) Thursday, September 6 2007Durban Revisited?
Will a UN "anti-racism" conference become another anti-Semitic and anti-Israel parley? See HonestReporting's latest communique: Durban Revisited? September 6 Links
Hamas Is Not the IRA How Al-Qa'idah 'martyrs' enter Iraq Young US Jews 'detached' from Israel Political Archeology
A Tel Aviv U. study found that only 15 percent of Israeli archeological digs took place over the Green Line. UPDATE Sept. 6: In a related development, Turkey is returning the Hezekiah inscription to Israel. Release the Rushes
Related reading: Storm Clouds Over Paris The Deafening Silence
From Reuters: Egyptian authorities demolished 20 illegally built homes in the Sharm el Sheikh area and plan to raze 1,500 more. The NGO silence is deafening. According to Israeli Committee Against Home Demolitions' own statistics, "about 1900 Palestinian homes have been demolished by the Civil Administration for lack of proper permits" between Sept. 2000-May 2007. It would take Israel years to demolish same number of homes Egypt intends to destroy. So why is the world's outrage against the destruction of illegally built homes reserved for Israel? (Hat tip: Solomonia) |
