From: Dr. Michael Berenhaus [mailto:mberenhaus@comcast.net]
Sent: Monday, May 19, 2008 9:23 AM
Subject: letter to wash post reporter
Dear Mr. Abramowitz,
I am writing in reference to your piece on May 16, 2008 - "Bush's Comments In Israel Fuel Anger". Why is Israel the only country in the world whose Independence Day celebration is presented by TheWashington Post by highlighting the view of the side that tried to wipe it out? On the same day as your piece, Charles Krauthammer wrote an op-ed piece "The Miracle, at 60". His piece was stuffed with facts about Israel and he provided facts that newspapers consistently leave out - often facts that they seem to avoid. He told the story of Israel's founding and he put it in context.
How can you explain the Palestinian situation without remarking how they were offered a state in the UN partition agreement of 1947 and instead began a genocidal war against the Jews in attempt to win everything and this is what caused their plight? For that matter, how come The Washington Post doesn't highlight how there was an equal if not greater number of Jews from Arab countries who were forced to leave - out of nothing that they had done - but were resettled decades ago in Israel while the Arab countries purposely leave the Palestinians living in squalor in their refugee camps for political reasons? Krauthammer wrote an objective piece. His would have been better placed where yours was - in the news section- while yours would have been better placed among the editorials.
Sincerely,
Michael Berenhaus
Potomac, MD
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Letter to The Washington Post
Dear Editor,
“Palestinian Quilt Presents a Different Viewpoint” ([Metro section], May 18) refers to a "large map of Palestine" and "the right of return to Palestine." Where is the "Palestine" of which the article speaks? When Palestinian Arabs use the word Palestine they are referring to the land where Israel is because they do not recognize Israel's right to exist. They routinely call Israel Palestine, as is plainly seen in their maps and textbooks in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. I am just surprised that The Washington Post parroted their view -- especially without clarification.
If a clarification is not made, then it appears to make the statement that The Washington Post itself, simply functioning as a stenographer rather than reporting in context, is rejecting the legitimacy of Israel. Please address this.
Dear Editor,
“Palestinian Quilt Presents a Different Viewpoint” ([Metro section], May 18) refers to a "large map of Palestine" and "the right of return to Palestine." Where is the "Palestine" of which the article speaks? When Palestinian Arabs use the word Palestine they are referring to the land where Israel is because they do not recognize Israel's right to exist. They routinely call Israel Palestine, as is plainly seen in their maps and textbooks in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. I am just surprised that The Washington Post parroted their view -- especially without clarification.
If a clarification is not made, then it appears to make the statement that The Washington Post itself, simply functioning as a stenographer rather than reporting in context, is rejecting the legitimacy of Israel. Please address this.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Small Victory at the Associated Press
Friends,
The Associated Press missed badly on a point implicating the creation of Israel in 1948 for the displacement of Palestinians. As you know, AP is picked up by newspapers throughout the country and the world. After two emails and a somewhat tense phone call with a member of their world news department, the story was changed. Below is one of the letters followed by the change.
Michael
From: mberenhaus@comcast.net
To: info@ap.org
Subject: Clarification requested
Date: Thursday, May 15, 2008 1:52:43 PM
Dear Editor,
Contrary to the article by Jennifer Loven, "Bush envisions Middle East free of oppression" (May 16, 2008), there were no Palestinians displaced following the creation of the Jewish state in 1948. The Palestinians were displaced only after they started a genocidal war against Israel - and lost. This is the history. What has been reported is just Palestinian propaganda that has made its way as alleged fact into mainstream media sources like AP.
Please clarify/correct.
Sincerely,
Michael Berenhaus
Potomac, MD
The quote:
"Bush made no acknowledgment of the hardship Palestinians suffered when hundreds of thousands were displaced or otherwise left following the creation of the Jewish state in 1948, a counterpoint to Israel's two weeks of jubilant celebrations." - Bush envisions Middle East free of oppression (May 16, 2008)
New quote: “He did not mention the Palestinians' plight” - Bush urges Mideast leaders to advance democracy (May 18, 2008)
Friends,
The Associated Press missed badly on a point implicating the creation of Israel in 1948 for the displacement of Palestinians. As you know, AP is picked up by newspapers throughout the country and the world. After two emails and a somewhat tense phone call with a member of their world news department, the story was changed. Below is one of the letters followed by the change.
Michael
From: mberenhaus@comcast.net
To: info@ap.org
Subject: Clarification requested
Date: Thursday, May 15, 2008 1:52:43 PM
Dear Editor,
Contrary to the article by Jennifer Loven, "Bush envisions Middle East free of oppression" (May 16, 2008), there were no Palestinians displaced following the creation of the Jewish state in 1948. The Palestinians were displaced only after they started a genocidal war against Israel - and lost. This is the history. What has been reported is just Palestinian propaganda that has made its way as alleged fact into mainstream media sources like AP.
Please clarify/correct.
Sincerely,
Michael Berenhaus
Potomac, MD
The quote:
"Bush made no acknowledgment of the hardship Palestinians suffered when hundreds of thousands were displaced or otherwise left following the creation of the Jewish state in 1948, a counterpoint to Israel's two weeks of jubilant celebrations." - Bush envisions Middle East free of oppression (May 16, 2008)
New quote: “He did not mention the Palestinians' plight” - Bush urges Mideast leaders to advance democracy (May 18, 2008)
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Letter to The Washington Post
From: Dr. Michael Berenhaus [mailto:mberenhaus@comcast.net]
Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:05 AM
Subject: letter to wash post
Dear Editor,
While Israel sends truckloads of food into Gaza, Hamas fires thousands of rockets at Israel. Hamas targets civilians, uses their own civilians as human shields, and hides weapons in schools - scrapping all semblances to abiding by International Law while chalking up war crime after war crime. Israel goes to great lengths in combat to avoid civilian casualties, often incurring more casualties because of it.
Yet there are countless editorials debating whether Israel abides by International Law, e.g., "The Myth of Occupied Gaza" (op. ed., May10, 2008), while Hamas breaks International Law constantly and consistently, without world rebuke, making discussions of International Law useless. Instead, the debate should be on how no world legal body makes Hamas accountable for their actions. Also in debate should be whether, after breaking numerous rules of warfare, Hamas' cries of foul play should even be considered when Israel fights back.
From: Dr. Michael Berenhaus [mailto:mberenhaus@comcast.net]
Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:05 AM
Subject: letter to wash post
Dear Editor,
While Israel sends truckloads of food into Gaza, Hamas fires thousands of rockets at Israel. Hamas targets civilians, uses their own civilians as human shields, and hides weapons in schools - scrapping all semblances to abiding by International Law while chalking up war crime after war crime. Israel goes to great lengths in combat to avoid civilian casualties, often incurring more casualties because of it.
Yet there are countless editorials debating whether Israel abides by International Law, e.g., "The Myth of Occupied Gaza" (op. ed., May10, 2008), while Hamas breaks International Law constantly and consistently, without world rebuke, making discussions of International Law useless. Instead, the debate should be on how no world legal body makes Hamas accountable for their actions. Also in debate should be whether, after breaking numerous rules of warfare, Hamas' cries of foul play should even be considered when Israel fights back.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Letter to The Washington Post
Dear Editor,
While Israel sends truckloads of food into Gaza, Hamas fires thousands of rockets at Israel. Hamas targets civilians, uses their own civilians as human shields, and hides weapons in schools - scrapping all semblances to abiding by International Law while chalking up war crime after war crime. Israel goes to great lengths in combat to avoid civilian casualties, often incurring more casualties because of it.
Yet there are countless editorials debating whether Israel abides by International Law, e.g., "The Myth of Occupied Gaza" (op. ed., May10, 2008), while Hamas breaks International Law constantly and consistently, without world rebuke, making discussions of International Law useless. Instead, the debate should be on how no world legal body makes Hamas accountable for their actions. Also in debate should be whether, after breaking numerous rules of warfare, Hamas' cries of foul play should even be considered when Israel fights back.
Dear Editor,
While Israel sends truckloads of food into Gaza, Hamas fires thousands of rockets at Israel. Hamas targets civilians, uses their own civilians as human shields, and hides weapons in schools - scrapping all semblances to abiding by International Law while chalking up war crime after war crime. Israel goes to great lengths in combat to avoid civilian casualties, often incurring more casualties because of it.
Yet there are countless editorials debating whether Israel abides by International Law, e.g., "The Myth of Occupied Gaza" (op. ed., May10, 2008), while Hamas breaks International Law constantly and consistently, without world rebuke, making discussions of International Law useless. Instead, the debate should be on how no world legal body makes Hamas accountable for their actions. Also in debate should be whether, after breaking numerous rules of warfare, Hamas' cries of foul play should even be considered when Israel fights back.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Letter to The Washington Post
From: Dr. Michael Berenhaus [mailto:mberenhaus@comcast.net]
Sent: Friday, May 09, 2008 5:04 PM
To: 'letters@washpost.com'
Subject: coverage on Israel's anniversary
Dear Editor,
Why is Israel the only country in the world whose Independence Day celebration is explained by The Washington Post by highlighting the view of the side that tried to wipe it out? (Israel's 60th Anniversary - Born at The Dawn of a New State - May 8, 2008) Contrary to your coverage, Israel's 60th anniversary is not about the Palestinian Arabs, whose plight was and is largely self-inflicted. The news about Israel at 60 is of the Jewish state's remarkable successes, in spite of the Arab-Islamic siege. Too bad you missed it.
Michael Berenhaus
From: Dr. Michael Berenhaus [mailto:mberenhaus@comcast.net]
Sent: Friday, May 09, 2008 5:04 PM
To: 'letters@washpost.com'
Subject: coverage on Israel's anniversary
Dear Editor,
Why is Israel the only country in the world whose Independence Day celebration is explained by The Washington Post by highlighting the view of the side that tried to wipe it out? (Israel's 60th Anniversary - Born at The Dawn of a New State - May 8, 2008) Contrary to your coverage, Israel's 60th anniversary is not about the Palestinian Arabs, whose plight was and is largely self-inflicted. The news about Israel at 60 is of the Jewish state's remarkable successes, in spite of the Arab-Islamic siege. Too bad you missed it.
Michael Berenhaus
Letter to NY Times
From: Dr. Michael Berenhaus [mailto:mberenhaus@comcast.net]
Sent: Friday, May 09, 2008 5:19 PM
To: letters@nytimes.com
Subject: letter to the editor
Dear Editor, Why is Israel the only country in the world whose Independence Day celebration is explained by The NY Times by highlighting the view of the side that tried to wipe it out?
Michael Berenhaus
From: Dr. Michael Berenhaus [mailto:mberenhaus@comcast.net]
Sent: Friday, May 09, 2008 5:19 PM
To: letters@nytimes.com
Subject: letter to the editor
Dear Editor, Why is Israel the only country in the world whose Independence Day celebration is explained by The NY Times by highlighting the view of the side that tried to wipe it out?
Michael Berenhaus
Friday, May 2, 2008
Published in Washington Jewish Week
Friday, May 02, 2008
Not about settlements
M.J. Rosenberg ("Settlements the key to Mideast peace," WJW, April 17) is "amazed" that there is a single person who believes that "West Bank settlements are not at the root of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."
For Rosenberg, history apparently begins in 1967. Before then, there were no settlements, and yet the Arabs brought war upon Israel.
Currently, there are no settlements in the Gaza Strip and the rockets keep flying. Israel's total withdrawal from southern Lebanon, where it had no settlements, hardly prevented Hezbollah from launching thousands of rockets at Israeli cities and towns in the 2006 war, targets it called "settlements."
Of course, to Hezbollah, as well as Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Popular Resistance Committees in the Gaza Strip, Fatah's al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, etc., Jewish towns and villages in the West Bank and the Galilee; Netanya; Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv; and the Jewish neighborhoods of Western Jerusalem are all "settlements," too.
Rosenberg, editor of Near East Report in the early 1980s, knew this then and wasn't afraid to say so.
His belief now that "Jews should be able to live in the West Bank exactly as Arabs live in Israel" -- just not in settlements -- is equally strange. How long does he think these Jews would survive?
The difference between acceptance, in safety, by Israel's Jewish majority of Arab Israeli villages and towns and the Palestinian Arab insistence that the West Bank be judenrein illustrates the underlying bigotry that fuels the conflict.
The real "root" of Palestinian hostility, as it has been since the Arab massacres of Jews in the 1920s, is the fact that Palestinian Arabs, especially the Muslim majority, don't want even a single Jew living among them, certainly not as equals.
MICHAEL BERENHAUS
Potomac
Friday, May 02, 2008
Not about settlements
M.J. Rosenberg ("Settlements the key to Mideast peace," WJW, April 17) is "amazed" that there is a single person who believes that "West Bank settlements are not at the root of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."
For Rosenberg, history apparently begins in 1967. Before then, there were no settlements, and yet the Arabs brought war upon Israel.
Currently, there are no settlements in the Gaza Strip and the rockets keep flying. Israel's total withdrawal from southern Lebanon, where it had no settlements, hardly prevented Hezbollah from launching thousands of rockets at Israeli cities and towns in the 2006 war, targets it called "settlements."
Of course, to Hezbollah, as well as Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Popular Resistance Committees in the Gaza Strip, Fatah's al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, etc., Jewish towns and villages in the West Bank and the Galilee; Netanya; Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv; and the Jewish neighborhoods of Western Jerusalem are all "settlements," too.
Rosenberg, editor of Near East Report in the early 1980s, knew this then and wasn't afraid to say so.
His belief now that "Jews should be able to live in the West Bank exactly as Arabs live in Israel" -- just not in settlements -- is equally strange. How long does he think these Jews would survive?
The difference between acceptance, in safety, by Israel's Jewish majority of Arab Israeli villages and towns and the Palestinian Arab insistence that the West Bank be judenrein illustrates the underlying bigotry that fuels the conflict.
The real "root" of Palestinian hostility, as it has been since the Arab massacres of Jews in the 1920s, is the fact that Palestinian Arabs, especially the Muslim majority, don't want even a single Jew living among them, certainly not as equals.
MICHAEL BERENHAUS
Potomac
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)