Hate Writer

Joel Pollack, in a letter to The Star newspaper says a lot of what I have been saying about the Media Review Network.

'Hate Writer' Takes His Article Too Far I have no problem if Dr Firoz Osman wishes to disagree with my opinions on Gaza. Dr Osman is an avowed proponent of a single state solution and favours the destruction of Israel. He is entitled to these views however ill conceived. However when he indulges in personal attacks accusing me of being an Israeli propagandist I must draw the line. The group he represents the Media Review Network publishes hate filled articles on its website which can be found at www.mediareviewnet.com. These articles are aimed not only at Israel and the Western nations but also at Jews, gays and other groups. Dr Osman himself is the author of an article on the website in which he opposes the opening of the Cape Town Holocaust Centre. In this article he accuses Jews of appropriating the term "Holocaust" for themselves, calls Hitler's crimes a mere political problem, accuses Jews of becoming victimisers, oppressors and suppressors and says that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land is worse than the Holocaust. There are numerous other articles along the same vein on the Media Review Network's website some of which even go so far as to deny that 6 million Jews were killed by the Nazis and claim that the Holocaust was technically impossible. Moreover the MRN frequently rushes to the defence of terror groups and has accused the United States itself of being behind the attacks of 11 September 2001. When it comes to propaganda Dr Osman and the MRN have no business pointing fingers at anybody. The fact that Dr Osman resorts to name calling is a clear indication that he is unable and unwilling to deal with the question I raised in my article namely, "what next for the Palestinians of Gaza." Indeed he completely avoids addressing the issue in his response. I suggest that your newspaper be more circumspect in using contributions from Dr Osman and the MRN in future.

The South African media repeatedly use the MRN as the legitimate voice of the Palestinian people in South Africa. It's a shame that they can't be bothered to expose the MRN for what they are and identify new sources better equipped to provide a reasonable Palestinian perspective.

Comments

[Katherine]

it makes me so happy when I see people logically and rationally rebutting the arguments of the kooks!

[Anon]

I just checked out the MRN site. Its very poorly done. They need some design skills.

[Steve]

Yep Kat, there are a couple of these people around. I think the writer works for the DA - not totally sure but he often writes really good articles.