Shaping the news — the true story
Former Associated Press reporter Matti Friedman recently published an essay in Tablet magazine titled “An Insider’s Guide to the Most Important Story on Earth,” exposing media bias against Israel. According to Friedman, these are the AP’s rules for covering Israel and the Palestinians:
First, Israel is “the most important story on earth.”
Second, the Palestinians are passive victims of Israel. Opinions supporting a peaceful two-state solution are attributed to them, whether true or not. Palestinian corruption is ignored. Hamas’ charter, calling for annihilating Israel and killing Jews, “was never mentioned in print when I was at the AP.” Hamas’ construction of “a military infrastructure beneath Gaza’s civilian infrastructure” was never reported.
Third, Hamas’ intimidation of reporters is suppressed, while major news organizations don’t document Hamas fighters and rocket launches in civilian areas.
Fourth, stories portraying Israel as peace-seeking and the Palestinians as obstructionist are spiked as “a matter of policy.” Thus, when Israel offered the Palestinians a state in 2009 and the Palestinian Authority rejected it, “the top editors at the bureau” refused to publish the report.
Finally, the conflict is framed as Israeli-Palestinian rather than Arab-Israeli.
This is an indictment that demands dramatic reform.
Stephen A. Silver | San Francisco
Missing the point
In the interest of clear thinking, I’d like to comment on two matters that were discussed in recent issues of J.
First, with regard to Vukani Mawethu using their performance at the Jewish Film Festival to make an analogy between Israeli policies and apartheid, the issue is not whether or not one agrees with their stand (“Choir draws ire for singing about Gaza, Israeli apartheid,” Aug. 15). They were invited guests: When you are a guest in someone’s home, you do your best not to offend your hosts. In this case, that means not imposing your views when you know they are controversial, no matter how right you believe you are. Good manners, not politics, are the only issue here.
Secondly, Amy Neustein misses the point entirely when she interprets Elie Wiesel’s ad comparing the actions of Hamas to child sacrifice as a slur on Palestinian parents (“Why Elie Wiesel’s full-page ad troubles me,” Aug. 22). Wiesel referred to Hamas, not those innocent Gazans who are their victims.
Malka Weitman | Berkeley
Support Israel by buying Israeli products
I first want to thank the J. for its excellent weekly coverage of events. I also want to suggest that, given the prominence of events in Israel, there be some sort of effort that could be discussed for those of us who wish to support the Israeli economy, especially those communities ravaged by the conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
There are media reports about various industries in southern Israel that support communities, including along the border with Gaza, being unable to sell their products. I believe many of J.’s readers would do what they can to buy such products to support these industries that may not survive whatever economic assistance they may or may not get from the State of Israel. If such a resource can be promoted, then that would be very helpful.
Mordechai Pelta | San Francisco
Right to self-defense
Regarding Amy Neustein being troubled by Elie Wiesel’s superb full-page ad (Aug. 22), clearly she did not read his words. Wiesel says the Hamas people should not hide behind the Gaza people when they fire at Israel. They do use “human shields” and we who wish to defend Jews — and we Jews, who have a right to defend ourselves — will respond as humanely as any civilized army. And we will respond. Israel has a right to defend itself!
Harry Lieberman | Berkeley
Showing up is an act of courage
Thank you for highlighting the important work that synagogues are doing to welcome those new to the community (“Welcome to our synagogue,” Aug. 22). I also want to acknowledge the courage and commitment of young families checking out a congregation and showing up to services for the first time.
It can be hard, and it’s heartening to read of people taking that risk and being met with a welcoming atmosphere. For some families, however, it’s difficult to know where to begin. I am pleased to serve as the new youth and family concierge at the Jewish Federation of the East Bay. We’re happy to support the work that congregations are doing by connecting families to the community and the abundance of Jewish programming available. I look forward to talking with many J. readers and others in the coming months. You can reach me at [email protected].
Liora Brosbe | Berkeley