http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2007/10/18/haaretz-insists-on-no-holds-barred-debate-over-israeli-palestinian-conflict-what-about-us-media/ Essays on politics, culture and ideas about Israeli-Arab peace and world music Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:07:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2007/10/18/haaretz-insists-on-no-holds-barred-debate-over-israeli-palestinian-conflict-what-about-us-media/comment-page-1/#comment-49058 Jeanne Capozzoli Wed, 24 Oct 2007 03:06:28 +0000 http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2007/10/18/haaretz-insists-on-no-holds-barred-debate-over-israeli-palestinian-conflict-what-about-us-media/#comment-49058 I have always heard that there is a no holds barred debate on all issues in Israel -- you provided an example. I admire Israelis for that kind of "all is acceptable" controversy. And I hear that they argue issues constantly with each other. It must be a very stimulating place to live. Americans are so nationalistic that it is difficult to honestly examine all sides of most issues--especially international issues. Most Americans are conviced that we are always right. And we certainly are not able to honestly examine all sides of the Palestinian/Israeli dispute -- it is an unwritten rule in the TV media to never allow the Palestinian side to be heard. I greatly admire the Peace Now advocates in Israel who so eloquently defend Palestinian rights or, should I say, lack of rights. I wonder if Americans would be so tolerant in the same situation. I have always heard that there is a no holds barred debate on all issues in Israel — you provided an example. I admire Israelis for that kind of “all is acceptable” controversy. And I hear that they argue issues constantly with each other. It must be a very stimulating place to live. Americans are so nationalistic that it is difficult to honestly examine all sides of most issues–especially international issues. Most Americans are conviced that we are always right. And we certainly are not able to honestly examine all sides of the Palestinian/Israeli dispute — it is an unwritten rule in the TV media to never allow the Palestinian side to be heard. I greatly admire the Peace Now advocates in Israel who so eloquently defend Palestinian rights or, should I say, lack of rights. I wonder if Americans would be so tolerant in the same situation.

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