Letter to Washington Post Jerusalem Bureau Chief followed by his response. In the letter, I referenced Shimon Peres’ debate with the moderator and the entire audience in Doha, Qatar. The link is at the end of my email to Scott Wilson– it is a must see for those interested in seeing, first hand, the art of debate when in hostile environs.

Michael

From: Dr. Michael Berenhaus [mailto:mberenhaus@comcast.net]
Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2007 10:22 PM
To: 'Scott Wilson'Subject: your recent article

Hi Scott,

No real surprises from your piece “Touring Israel’s Barrier With Its Main Designer” [August 7, 2007]. You obviously put a lot of work into it. I appreciate your inclusion that the barrier is 95% fence, 5% wall – I would be interested in your thoughts on why almost every photograph of the barrier in The Washington Post shows it as a wall (including this piece).

One thought on your usage that the barrier “divides Arab from Jew”. Almost 20% of Israel is Arab. So it also divides Israeli Arabs from Arabs living in the West Bank – dividing Arabs from Arabs. Shimon Peres stated in a recent debate in Doha, Qatar*, that the barrier has been put in place where the suicide bombings are coming from.

Looking forward to your next article,

Michael

*http://clients.mediaondemand.net/thedohadebates/index.aspx?sessionid=19&bandwidth=hi



From: Scott Wilson
Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2007 1:06 PM
To: Dr. Michael BerenhausSubject:
Re: your recent article

Hi Michael:

Thanks much for the note, and you raise a very good point about the pictures (which I don't see until after they run and even then just a glance when my clips come in my monthly packets from the paper.) I'll pass your valid concern along.

Best regards,
Scott