Letter to The Washington Post

From: Dr. Michael Berenhaus
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2006 9:04 AM
To: 'letters@washpost.com'
Subject: letter to the editor

Dear Editor,

Former President Jimmy Carter [Don’t Punish the Palestinians Feb. 20, 2006] states that Israel’s actions against Hamas will “incite” violence. How can a group, which is committed to the destruction of Israel, which has carried out hundreds of attacks that killed 300 Israelis and wounded over 2000 be incited any further? What could they do that would be any worse than the genocide they plan and hope to carry out? Carter’s philosophy of appeasement to those that espouse mass murder defies both history and logic.

Michael Berenhaus

Letter to Associated Press

I called and wrote to the Associated Press regarding this distortion. No response yet.

Michael

From: Dr. Michael Berenhaus
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2006 9:03 AM
To: 'info@ap.org'Cc: 'feedback@ap.org'
Subject: Correction sought

Dear Editor,

Josef Federman in Israel Threatens Tough Economic Sanctions [Feb 17, 2006 4:21am], states that “The Palestinians claim both areas [Gaza and the West Bank], separated by Israeli territory, for a future state.” But the voted-in party, Hamas, claim is for an Islamic state in area which includes Israel. The Hamas charter is about doing away with Israel. This is the reason why Israel has put the sanctions in place. Please correct this – it is not clear.

Thanks,

Michael Berenhaus

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20060217/D8FQPB7G7.html

Published in The Baltimore Sun

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/letters/bal-ed.le.hamas04feb04,1,4295705.story?coll=bal-oped-headlines

Obfuscating the threat Hamas clearly expresses
February 4, 2006

In its recent coverage of the Middle East, and particularly in "Hamas aims for political might" (Jan. 22), The Sun seems to be deflecting the raison d'etre of the Hamas movement.
Comments in that article include, "Hamas' intentions have become murkier in the weeks leading to ... elections."

Murkier? The Sun's neighbor down Interstate 95, The Washington Post, seems to be getting a different, clearer picture.

Its Jan. 29 article "Some Palestinians See End of Secular Dream," for instance, refers to Hamas as "an organization committed to establishing an Islamic state across territory that includes Israel."

I would hope that The Sun would also see Hamas' intentions as pretty clear.

Michael Berenhaus
Potomac

Dialogue with Washington Post

Dear Editor,

By publishing an editorial by Hamas deputy political chief Mousa Abu Marzook [What Hamas Is Seeking Jan. 31, 2006], the Washington Post has given a forum and sanction to an internationally-recognized terrorist organization allowing them to spout their propaganda. Hamas’ goal is to gain world opinion – the place where battles are currently being fought. Their words become legitimized by the coverage giving them the opportunity to win the war of ideas despite their lies and fabrications. Giving them editorial space is no different than sending them weapons and bullets – only it is more powerful. By supplying this coverage, the Post is aiding and abetting those that espouse terrorism giving them the ammunition for free. Would the Post allow Osama Bin Laden, Iranian President Ahmadinejad, or the former Taliban leaders to spread their propagandist lies in an editorial?

------------------------------------------------------------
RESPONSE FROM THE OMBUDSMAN:



From: Deborah C Howell
Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2006 4:52 PM
Subject: Re: What Hamas is Seeking


I don't have purview over the editorial pages, but I will pass this on. I think their thinking is that it's better to know what Hamas says than not to know and that printing it is not agreeing with it. Deborah


--------------------------------------------------------------------
RESPONSE FROM THE EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR:

The ombudsman forwarded your letter to me (the editorial page editor).
Thank you for writing.

I certainly considered the arguments you make before publishing this piece.
Our job is to present a broad range of opinion relevant to the day's news.
Hamas perpetrates terrorism; it also is now the elected majority party of a Palestinian parliament. U.S. and other officials are in the process of deciding what policy to take toward this new government, and many experts are debating the same question. In that context, the party's platforms and intentions seem to be more than newsworthy. I agree we should publish responsible analyses of Hamas, but in my view the words of the actors themselves also can inform the ongoing debate.

Publication does not equal endorsement.

Again, I appreciate your reading the paper, and taking the time to write.

Best,
Fred Hiatt