Yesterday, I wrote a critical post about the N.Y. Times editorial page’s “coverage” of Gaza noting that no columns had been written that were critical of the Israeli offensive (David Grossman’s was mildly so) and that no Arabs or Palestinians had been allowed to weigh in on the debate. Little did I know that today’s edition completely rectified those inadequacies. I noted yesterday that Nicholas Kristof wrote a piece about Gaza. Add to that Rashid Khalidi and Gideon Lichfield. All were excellent and highly critical of Israeli policy.
Finally, there has been enough innocent blood shed for the Times to understand that Israel’s invasion is becoming a disaster. And that the longer it continues the worse the catastrophe will become for Gaza, for Israel, for the region, and for U.S. interests in the region.
You know you’ve struck a chord when the Israel lobby complains as Abe Foxman does in the letters to the editor section.
Jerome Slater too has noticed the Times’ change of heart:
It’s almost beginning to look like the Times has experienced an epiphany. Not only is there increasingly skeptical coverage from its news reporters, including some who until now have been largely uncritical of Israel, but look at today’s amazing Op-Ed page: three columns that are highly critical of Israel, including one by Rashid Khalidi! In fact, the online edition has an additional column by Roger Cohen, who writes: “I have never previously felt so despondent about Israel, so shamed by its actions….”
I’m also noticing the hasbara type commenters have retreated from this blog. Either they’ve found bigger fish to fry or they too have become conflicted enough about what’s going on that they no longer have the moral confidence in Israel’s position that they once did.
Progressive rabbi: Trafalgar Square rally not for him
From The Jewish Chronicle
Simon Rocker
January 9, 2009
Rabbi Danny Rich, the chief executive of Liberal Judaism, has dissociated himself from Sunday’s Israel solidarity rallies in London and Manchester.
In a statement issued today, he said he could “not subscribe to the tone of the response, believing that, in accord with my Jewish teaching and humanitarian instinct, the appropriate reaction is to call for an immediate ceasefire (perhaps the Franco-Egyptian proposal) which may prevent further tragedy engulfing the Palestinian civilian population and save injury and worse to both Israelis in uniform and their fellow citizens in their homes.”
He said; “I am convinced that the continuing violence in the region will exacerbate tensions, nurture hatred, and make more difficult a peaceful resolution which is in the interests of both the Palestinian people and the State of Israel.”
The Liberal head is the first UK Jewish religious leader to publicly break ranks by declining to endorse the pro-Israel campaign agreed by Jewish leaders earlier this week.
He revealed that he had instead signed a statement with other faith leaders calling for a ceasefire and would be addressing a Muslim meeting in Batley on Sunday.
Rabbi Rich said; “I know that many of my colleagues and friends will be disappointed that I have gone public with these very serious reservations, and I have only done so after much prayer, reflection and thought.”
Progressive rabbi: Trafalgar Square rally not for him
Thanks for the links Richard.
Your contribution has, as ever, been outstanding.
Michael, I’ve got to take you severely to task (just kidding) for not telling me you’ve created a site tracking the pro-Israel swill of one of the most annoying, obnoxious right-wing bloggers, Aussie Dave. I’ll have to figure out how to give your site a big plug in a blog post here. Aussie Dave is more a legend in his own mind. But it’s still worthwhile to point out his racist, Islam-bashing, Palestinian-hating bile to all and sundry.
We’ll be discussing the Israeli invasion of Gaza from perspectives on both sides of the divide Monday and Tuesday January 12 and 13 at 5 PM New York time on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com with Israel’s Consul General in New York Asaf Shariv and Hussein Ibish, executive director of the Foundation for Arab-American Leadership and senior fellow at the American Task Force on Palestine.
Please go to http://www.garybaumgarten.com and click on the Join The Chat Room button to speak with Shariv on Monday and Ibish on Tuesday.
Thanks,
Gary
Yes, Richard, thank you so very much for all your tireless and passionate blogging.
I, too, have noticed sudden radio silence from the hasbarim. It seems quite concerted. I doubt everybody just suddenly had an epiphany on day 12 or 13. I think they’ve figured out that enough people are on to them and it’s not changing public opinion or media coverage. The press is on to them and sick of it. They will come up with something else.
I would ready yourself for a smear campaign. If you have dirty laundry it might be aired. Even if it’s not your dirt it might get hung out on your line, just to try to shame you.
Well, you probably won’t publish this either, but I suspect most of us have us have been “quiet” because you have moderated us, and refused to let our voices be heard. I’ve posted more than a few times to this blog, and my posts have gotten “moderated”. No worries though, there are many other blog owners who are fair and allow both sides of an issue to be heard.
Your comments haven’t been published because you generally publish multiple comments in a day (as many as 4-5 or more) and do this almost every time you ever publish here. I simply don’t have time to respond to all the other pro-Israel commenters here who I DO publish if I’m going to approve all of your comments & reply to them as well. I’ve politely asked you to publish no more than 2 comments per day here and I’d publish them. Since that’s what you’ve done today, you’re published.
You also generally use arguments that have been published here by others before you. I get bored out of my skull answering claims like yours raised by others for the 10th or 20th time.
The other comments that remain unpublished generally call me a prostitute and other subtle forms of argument.
The conclusive solution to silence radical Palestinian groups will be to establish an international military force to police Gaza and the West Bank headed by a contagion of forces from the more secular Arab countries to ensure the smooth transition to a strong Palestinian state. If there is a well crafted plan to create a Palestinian state, I think most of the Arab countries will readily send troops to help develop a viable Palestinian state.
A peaceful Middle East will definitely have a lot of ramifications. A peaceful Middle East will stem the tide and accelerate a decline in radical Islam. There is no greater hope than that the Israelis and Palestinians get tired of their tortuous past full of wars then sit down and work towards a peaceful Middle East.
Rest of article on http://www.complainary.com here: http://xrl.us/beb6uc
I’m also noticing the hasbara type commenters have retreated from this blog. Either they’ve found bigger fish to fry or they too have become conflicted enough about what’s going on that they no longer have the moral confidence in Israel’s position that they once did.
Or because your attitude is so extreme and unjust. I hadn’t seen this place before and have been shocked by what I read here. There’s no attempt at understanding Israel.