Dialogue with Washington Post Jerusalem Bureau Chief




In Bonded in Resistance to the Barrier [June 8, 2007], The Washington Post brings to the forefront very real concerns of Arab and Jewish neighbors who have lived in peaceful co-existence and now will be severely inconvenienced by the construction of a security barrier between the two communities. But actions have consequences – the barrier is Israel’s defensive, non-violent approach to keeping Palestinian suicide bombers out. Palestinian bombings are now down over 90%. The barrier is being put up where the bombers are coming from – the West Bank. Holes in the barrier will only be exploited as has already been seen and must be closed for the system to remain effective.

In the article, The Washington Post chose to quote an individual who claims that “Israel’s policy here is like those of Nazi Germany under Hitler.” The comparison is so outlandish its unqualified use is surprising and unacceptable. Comparing Israel’s defensive non-violent action to Nazi genocide amounts to psychological warfare; there’s no need for The Post to serve as a megaphone. In reality – which journalism is to portray – the Arabs have tried to destroy Israel and her people in three major wars and continue to promote mass murder of the Jews in mosques, schools, newspapers, and on television and radio.

Further, The Washington Post states that “the Israeli government says the barrier is designed to prevent” Palestinian attacks [emphasis added]. The Post uses the technique of using someone else to say that Israel’s policy “is” like the Nazi’s, but then states that Israel “says” the barrier is to protect its civilians – the slant, whether intended or not, speaks for itself.

The Post says that Palestinians believe that “Israelis have designs on their land.” There is no quote around “their.” Is The Washington Post the final arbiter of whose land it is? The West Bank, previously occupied by the Jordanians, was won, not by the Palestinians, but by Israel – in a war brought upon Israel by Jordan. If The Post wanted to appear neutral, it would have said that Palestinians believe that Israelis have designs on land which they consider to be theirs. Final status is yet to be determined and will be based upon negotiations according to UN Security Council resolutions – not Washington Post reporters.

The Post is perpetuating an ahistorical narrative –equivalent to the Palestinian view – when objectivity should be what it aims for.