Here's the summary of last weeks coverage of Israel related items, again courtesy of D. Again, things in the media have been quite positive (assuming you are in favour of balanced reporting). Click the continue reading button to see the summary.
The Sunday Independent carried an article by acting Israel Ambassador to South Africa, Ilan Fluss.
The article concentrates on the economic advantages that could be derived from mutual trade and co-operation between the two countries. A very positive article that emphasizes the use of the (Tipa) Techno-Agricultural Innovation for Poverty Alleviation. Water engineering, Israeli medical advancements in stem cell technology, and the trade in diamonds, to name but a few areas of co-operation and exchange were highlighted. These will not only aid Israel and South Africa, but many other countries on the African continent with which South Africa has ties. Poverty alleviation has a mutual benefit for all people and the cutting of trade ties with Israel, South Africa's 14th trading partner according to Ilan Fluss would not be beneficial to anyone. The signing of two trade agreements and the recent SA trade delegation that went to Israel endorses the fact that the SA government recognizes the mutual benefit for both countries for political and economic co-operation.
Another article by Laura King from the Washington Post highlights the current problems facing the Palestinian security apparatus in Gaza and on the West Bank. The Sunday Independent continues to cover the Middle East conflict with fair and balanced reporting.
The Sunday Times A piece by Neil Mac Farquhar describes a call from pragmatic Arabs in Egypt, that in order to pursue national interests more successfully, it is necessary to engage the USA in finding a solution in Iraq and an end to the Israeli-Palestinian crisis.
The Sunday Times New York Times edition simply reiterated the call of Europe who want the present American administration to work towards finding a solution in the Middle East crisis. The Sunday Times Extra carried a letter appealing for support in getting the Israeli government to respond to public calls to free Palestinian prisoners. The letter calls for solidarity and requests that all people from all faiths respond to this call and likens this appeal to the days of Apartheid when people from all over the world wrote letters of solidarity. As is clear the coverage of the Middle East in the Sunday Times was uneventful this week.
Business Day continues to report fairly on the Middle East. The week began with a possible ceasefire, and an agreement by Hamas et al to suspend attacks on Israel. Silvan Shalom, Israel's Foreign Minister stated that the "...UN general assembly is usually a place where, because of a hostile majority, Israel has been systematically attacked for decades, and that Israel is frequently on the receiving end of condemnatory UN resolutions. The commemoration at the UN of the liberation of Auschwitz was an historic event of universal significance and political success for Israel."
The Business Day should be lauded for being prepared to expose the hypocrisy experienced constantly by Israel at the UN.
The death of a Palestinian preschooler was reported as having been "apparently killed by Israeli army fire." In this instance doubt is cast over exactly how the child died and this is indicative of honest reporting. (The IDF says that although they cannot rule out the possibility that the shoolgirl was killed by Israeli gunfire, it is most likely that she was killed by Palestinian gunfire.)
The Citizen continues to report factually on the Middle East, taking most of their coverage from Reuters, Sapa, AFP, AP.
The Star reported on the rise of Anti-Semitism in Russia and Britain, and reported about the Middle East with general news items on a possible truce and the resumed diplomatic contact between the Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
The coverage of the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz by the Star was exceptional and without parallel, and their incredible effort in this regard should only be commended.
The Mail and Guardian only reported on the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz this week with an article entitled "Shadows and Ghosts" describing the liberation of Auschwitz by a Russian soldier. Gerhard Shroder's, Germany's chancellor blamed all Germans for the Holocaust and urged vigilance in Germany against it ever happening again.
The Pretoria News ran an editorial by Clyde Bawden, describing Ariel Sharon's criticism of a world that did not lift a finger to stop the killing of Jews during World War 2, saying the lesson that the Jews have learned is that they have to rely on themselves, because nobody else cared. Bawden in this editorial unashamedly stated that Sharon is using this as an excuse to justify his hard-line stance in regards the Palestinians.
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