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Wednesday, April 30 2008Carter Shills For Hamas
Through more official consultations with these outlawed leaders, it may yet be possible to revive and expedite the stalemated peace talks between Israel and its neighbors. In the Middle East, as in Nepal, the path to peace lies in negotiation, not in isolation. You can hear the chortles in Iran.
The Stench Spreads: Johann Hari's Stinking Op-Ed
Using a falsified quote and revisionist history, Hari compares Israel to excrement. Read more at HonestReporting's latest communique: The Stench Spreads: Johann Hari's Stinking Op-Ed Tuesday, April 29 2008Hamas Fuels the Fire
The head of the Palestinian Authority's gas agency confirmed Tuesday that Hamas gunmen had raided the Palestinian side of the Nahal Oz fuel terminal, stealing at least 60,000 liters of fuel meant for the Gaza power station in order to fill their own vehicles.
Bird's Eye View of the IAF
I can't help but like Bob Simon's look at the Israeli Air Force for 60 Minutes. Cool footage of jets and choppers and an honest look at how pilots relate to flying over Gaza, the 1981 attack on Osirak, and the possibility it will have to attack Iran. Click below to watch.
Monday, April 28 2008April 28 Links
Gaza's Teenage Tunnel Diggers Incompetent or Cruel Real Reason Syrian Base Was Wiped Off the Map Johann Hari's Stinking Op-Ed
Relying on a falsified quote and revisionist history, Hari compares Israel to excrement. See HonestReporting UK's latest communique: Johann Hari's Stinking Op-Ed Sunday, April 27 2008Passed Over: Shorts You May Have Missed
Some items from the Passover holiday period. See HonestReporting's latest communique: Passed Over: Shorts You May Have Missed. Whose Druze Choose Jews?
Reuters perpetuates another misnomer: Around 18,000 Israeli settlers live in the heights among 22,000 Druze who consider themselves Syrians. Actually, Druze leaders slam extremists in their community who seek ties with Syria. A Fast and Furious Pace: Hezbollah Gears Up
The Observer reports first-hand that Hezbollah is recruiting and training fighters at a fast and furious pace: But what is becoming more obvious, even as Hizbollah tries to hide it, is that the group has embarked on an unprecedented build-up of men, equipment and bunker-building in preparation for the war that almost everyone - Lebanese and Israeli - considers inevitable. 'The villages in the south are empty of men,' said one international official. 'They are all gone, training in Bekaa, Syria and Iran.' Mitchell Prothero's dispatch ends on another sobering point: the possibility of Hezbollah fighters taking up arms against other Lebanese. France 2 Rushes (18-Minute Version) YouTubed
The 18 minutes of raw footage France 2 screened in court last year were posted on YouTube. The same person also posted what's billed as "the 10 seconds never shown by France 2." Via Richard Landes, who saw the full 27 minutes of raw footage. His reaction: Lots to see, even thought they cut out at least three of the most obvious fake scenes. Related viewing: Blowing the Lid on New France2 Video, especially if it's difficult to understand what you're watching. Catching Up on Carter, Hamas and the WashPost
Last week, the Washington Post gave op-ed space to Hamas strongman Mahmoud Zahar. To the paper's credit, a staff-ed the same day explained that they were holding their noses. But it may not be that simple. If the paper compensated Zahar for the commentary, the Post would possibly be afoul of federal laws prohibiting money transactions to designated terror organizations, says Steve Emerson (via LGF). The Post pays a minimum $200 fee for op-eds; various factors can increase the amount. According to Emerson, the Post refuses to confirm what, if anything, it paid for the commentary. I hoped ombudsman Deborah Howell would expand on the controversy. Instead, last week's column addressed unrelated issues of Israel coverage raised by our colleagues at Camera. Today's column deals with sports blogging. HR Canada Launches French Monitoring Unit
Paul Agoston will oversee operations in Montreal. Paul joins HR Canada with over 10 years of marketing and communications experience. To contact Paul, please email paul@honestreporting.ca. Catching Up on Recommended Reading
As I catch up on reading and emails after a week off, I'll probably add more articles to this list over the course of the day. How Do You Navigate News From the Middle East? Iran Leads Battle to Bar Jewish Group From Forum Zawahri: Hezbollah Started Rumor that Israel Planned 9/11 Double Standard Exists With Israel and Jews NYT's Top Editor Suggests 'Some Resemblance' Between Israel and South African Apartheid Hizbullah Expands Communications Network Sounds of Music In a City More Crowded Than Gaza Egypt Builds A Wall Saudi Blogger Freed Friday, April 18 2008Happy Passover
Thursday, April 17 2008In Harm's Way: Cameraman Films Own Death
Reuters top editor, David Schlesinger, called for an IDF inquiry into the incident. He also acknowledged in a memo: We know, of course, that journalism is a dangerous business. We know, of course, that we rush into danger when others rush away. We know, of course, that accidents happen. Although Shana's vehicle was clearly marked as TV, Palestinian terrorists have abused press markings to launch attacks, such as last June. To what extent are journalists in combat zones culpable for putting themselves in harm's way? Post your comments below. Terror Awards Revoked
Following up on yesterday's communique, today's Jerusalem Post reports that Mahmoud Abbas informed Israel that the awards for two Palestinian terrorists were withdrawn. Wednesday, April 16 2008April 16 Links
J'lem-Based Journalist Wins Parliamentary Seat Soccer 1, Jimmy Carter 0 Iran Slams "Google Plot" Selling Terror Abbas: A "Moderate" Honoring Terrorists
Why does the media continue to refer to the Palestinian leadership as "moderate"? Read more at HonestReporting's latest communique: Abbas: A "Moderate" Honoring Terrorists It's Lonely Supporting Israel on Campus
Nor can these relatively few speakers compete with the onslaught of weekly posters put up around campus with pictures of bloodied Palestinian children, body bags, and misquoted statements from Israeli officials seeming to suggest that Palestinians are asking for it. For some reason - perhaps the way the media covers the conflict - many college students seem to be more skeptical of pro-Israel speakers than anti-Israel ones . . . . Tuesday, April 15 2008Misrepresenting A Source
"For a Gazan youngster, the question is what do you want to be when you grow up," said Conal Urquhart, a U.N. humanitarian affairs officer based in Gaza. "Your options are very limited." Interesting source considering Urquhart (pictured) isn't a UN employee but a reporter for The Guardian. This isn't the first time Urquhart was linked to a misrepresented source. Just last October, there was a problem with the way he referred to Jeff Halper. As press corps colleagues, Witte certainly knew Urquhart's a journalist. How'd this happen? Comments to ombudsman@washpost.com Israel 60: The Demonization Begins
As Israel gears up to celebrate, the demonization campaign prepares to escalate. Read more at HonestReporting's latest communique: Israel 60: The Demonization Begins Al-Jazeera Backpedaling?
Meanwhile, the network omitted any reference to Monday's meeting at the Qatar conference between Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and the Emir of Qatar Hamad bin Khalifa. It did, however, report on Livni's meeting with her counterpart from Oman. While in Doha, Livni shook hands with Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani. In addition to running Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bankrolled Al-Jazeera's launch to an estimated tune of $150 million. (Livni met with Al-Jazeera's management.) So what is Al-Jazeera to do if its principal patrons are warming to Israel? Haaretz adds: The Qatar-based television network Al-Jazeera has agreed to discuss its coverage of the Israeli-Arab conflict with Israel, after Israel decided to embargo the media outlet, claiming its reports were biased. Related reading: Israel Blacklists Al-Jazeera April 15 Links
UN Expert? No, a Conspiracy Crank Israel's Life Beyond the Headlines Jimmy's World A Palestinian Civil War in Lebanon? How Iranians Are Avoiding Sanctions Perils of Internet Apathy
YouTube has become a primary vehicle for the exchange of ideas and the formation of public opinion. In this instance, however, its power - with a tentacle-like reach and an astounding speed of dissemination - was wielded to spread hateful anti-Israel messages . . . . Monday, April 14 2008Coming Attractions, Part 2
Only President Truman’s support of the partition, giving the 30 percent Jewish minority governance of most of Palestine, accounted for the United Nations’ approval. Yet, when Israel launched its long-planned systematic ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from their ancestral homes and Truman demanded that they cease and allow refugees to return home, Israeli operatives assassinated a U.N. mediator and brushed off Truman — Israel needed more land for its security. Israel’s ethnic cleansing of 800,000 Palestinians violated U.N. charter articles. Mitch Bard describes more accurately what really happened in 1948. What Fuel Crisis?
Western officials confirmed Israeli statements that some two days' supply of gasoline and diesel were lying untapped in tanks in Gaza. 'Nuff said. Sunday, April 13 2008Coming Attractions
Last year's 40th anniversary of the Six-Day War brought out plenty of criticism of Israeli "occupation." As we get closer to Israel's 60th anniversary of independence, we're going to see more regurgitated pablum questioning Israel's legitimacy. Edith Garwood's an example of the coming attractions. She writes in the Charlotte Observer: Archives show armed Jewish militias expelled Arabs using home demolitions, massacres, rape, beatings, bombings and widespread threats of terror . . . . Heh. Tarnished With a Brush of Walt, Mearsheimer
So why is an eminently sensible and just issue tarnished by The Economist with the brush of Walt and Mearsheimer? But the fact that a resolution of doubtful value even to Israel's government, let alone American foreign policy, passed with bipartisan support shows once more the power of the pro-Israel lobby in Washington. The lobby's critics often complain that it represents not Israel but the Israeli right wing. Why can't The Economist admit that this expression -- however symbolic and toothless -- passed because the long-overdue recognition of Jewish refugees makes sense in and of itself? Point of No Return also responds to The Economist. AFP's Tough Justice
AFP breaks out the violins for Palestinian kids caught up in Israeli military courts. But papers like the Times of London, Reuters, and the Globe & Mail have already noted that the kids look forward to Israeli imprisonment and deliberately get themselves arrested. For Palestinian youngsters, life behind bars means: • pursuing an education • living well • getting street cred Oh yeah, parents receive monthly PA benefits too. Thursday, April 10 2008Red Ronnie Strikes Again
The article was subsequently republished in the Cape Argus. Both papers consider Kasrils' propaganda as "premium content" for subscribers which means you have to pay for the privilege of reading it. It's Almost Supernatural fisked Kasrils and has further follow up. Nahal Oz: A Case Study in Flawed Reporting
An examination of UK media's coverage of a terror attack reveals glaring deficiencies. See HonestReporting UK's latest communique: Nahal Oz: A Case Study in Flawed Reporting Detailing Hamas Arms Buildup
NY Times correspondent Ethan Bronner gives an impressive amount of ink to a study by the Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center detailng in depth Hamas' arms buildup. Say What?
Can anyone explain this muddled AFP sentence? Hamas did not claim the border attack but its armed wing said it fired three homemade rockets at the crossing after the battle, the first time it has claimed an attack on Israel since the beginning of March. Wednesday, April 9 2008Anonymous Comments, Anonymous Sources
The one divergence of opinion between the two: Editors overwhelmingly feel that requiring readers to disclose their identities before posting comments supports good journalism. Readers were split on the question. Come to think of it, online media credibility could also be strengthened by less reliance on anonymous news sources. Post comments below, whoever you are. (Hat tip: Romenesko) Irish Eyes Watching Israel
Heads up on a new blog taking on the Irish media coverage of the Mideast and other hasbara issues: Watching Israel. Outsourcing Foreign Coverage
Broadly speaking, the executives described conversations about reducing CBS’s news-gathering capacity while keeping its frontline personalities, like Katie Couric, the CBS Evening News anchor, and paying a fee to CNN to buy the cable network’s news feeds. There's a lot to be said for collaborative effort. Pooling resources can improve efficiency and give journalists opportunities to learn new ideas from each other. The flip side: reinforced groupthink among the press corps. AFP Sources Say, Part 2
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights confirmed that a Palestinian boy was killed by an errant Palestinian mortar, and not by IDF tank fire. If you listen carefully, you can hear AFP rushing to correct its coverage . . . Related reading: Sources Say . . . (Hat tip: Elder of Ziyon) Tuesday, April 8 2008Sympathize With Google
(Hat tip: The Useful Idiot) Email This Update
Now it's easier than ever to share your favorite Backspin posts with everyone. Monday, April 7 2008Success: Times Acknowledges Photo Gaffe
HR subscribers secure a correction and acknowledgment. See HonestReporting's latest communique: Success: Times Acknowledges Photo Gaffe. The World According to Newspapers
Is there such thing as over-coverage? In the past, we noted web sites quantifying how much coverage various counties receive. Now Nicolas Kayser-Bril and Gilles Bruno mapped the countries covered by newspapers in 2007. As they explain in the Online Journalism Blog, countries in the maps they developed swell as they receive more media coverage. This study isn't about Israel specifically but about the MSM's priorities. Click on the different newspapers below to compare the foreign coverage and see how bloated Israel is each time. Kayser-Bril makes two conclusions: First, traditional newspapers are highly selective in their coverage of world news . . . . What does this mean for Israel? Most Western newspapers have been cutting back on foreign bureaus, leaving international coverage primarily to wire services and reports originally published in the small number of large dailies that can afford to maintain a bureau in Israel. Despite the cutbacks, the sheer volume of reports remains at a very high level. Does this mean that a small pool of journalists wields undue influence over the way the world perceives the Israeli-Arab conflict? But the Trains Run on Time
Nice JTA dispatch from Gaza, which finds Hamas is getting Gaza's proverbial trains to run on time and delivering greater public security -- at the expense of personal freedoms and human rights. Sunday, April 6 2008April 6 Links
What Happens When the Shoe's on the Other Foot? "Marching Toward Total Ruin" Not Just Gaza: Fatah Loses Its Grip in Lebanon In Web World of 24/7 Stress, Writers Blog Till They Drop Haifa-Based US Defense Contractor Most Ethical German News Service Pays Arabs to Riot
“A German news company recruits activists here and gives them money to make problems in order to report on them,” he claimed. The report didn't specify the name of the news service. Sources Say . . .
Which headline (and its sources) to believe? Israeli Fire Kills Gaza Farmer |
