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MONTH OF JULY
JULY 1 CATEGORY
Political Cartoon
This cartoon takes the moral equivalency position, i.e., there is no difference DISTORTION
between Israel and Palestinians, both sides equally to blame, etc. In reality, there is
no moral equivalence between Israel’s defense against terrorism and Palestinians’
acts of terror. This is generally true of all terrorist acts against civilians, whether in
Israel, the United States or elsewhere. We view this cartoon, like all attempts to
place blame on victims, as completely inappropriate.
JULY 2
Website
The Hartford Courant website had a headline titled “Israeli Helicopter Kills HEADLINE
Palestinians - Los Angeles Times.” When the reader clicked on this headline, it OMISSION
brought up an article “Violence thwarts U.S.- brokered cease-fire - Baltimore Sun.”
The article referred to the Israeli helicopter strike, as well as the shooting of an
Israeli and two car bombings in Israel. Thus, the headline at the Courant site was
clearly misleading in presenting only the strike-back and nothing on the provocation.
JULY 4
The New York Times
The following news event was reported in the New York Times on July 4: OMISSION
OMISSION
fire – attacker fled the neighboring village.”
This is a common strategy for terrorists – murder innocent civilians and flee to
Palestinian-controlled territory. When Arafat refuses to arrest the terrorist, Israel
has no choice but to cross into the Palestinian controlled territories in pursuit of
terrorists and those that organize terrorism.
This brutal terrorist attack was not reported in the Courant.
JULY 6 CATEGORY
News article: Mideast Envoy Calls for Mediator
Associated Press (Greg Myre)
- The UN Mideast envoy pleaded for a referee to rule on the conflicting claims
DISTORTION
The UN Mideast envoy presents the Palestinian position. There was no Israeli response/
rebuttal. A “referee” is a euphemism for international monitors stationed in Israel/
West Bank/Gaza Strip. This is precisely what Arafat has been asking for, knowing the
UN’s intense prejudice against Israel, as recently demonstrated in the U.N. racism
conference in South Africa. The Palestinian view was repeated later in the article, for
no apparent reason than to re-emphasize the point.
- In Ramallah - Palestinian killed during gunfight between Palestinians and Israeli
soldiers guarding a Jewish settlement. NO REBUTTAL
There is no explanation as to who initiated the gunfight. Nor is there a response from
Israel. Since the Palestinians have been terrorizing settlers, the gunfight was most likely
initiated by the Palestinian, and the Israeli soldier who was protecting the settlement
responded. There is no mention that settlements are legal and settlers are civilians
living in their communities.
JULY 9
News article: Mideast Waging Phone War
Los Angeles Times (Richard Bondveaux)
- We view this article as unbalanced. There is disproportionate emphasis on Israeli’s UNBALANCED
of Palestinians’ similar activities aimed at killing “passers by.”
- The article refers to Israel’s efforts to “kill militants.” They are not referred to as IMAGING
and the Courant is not alone in casting terrorists as “militants.” Again, in today’s
environment, it is increasingly clear that such euphemisms are totally inappropriate.
JULY 9 (continued) CATEGORY
- The article refers to Israel’s “targeted assassinations.” This is a distorted word IMAGING
targeting innocent civilians for murder.
JULY 10
News article: Israeli Forces Bulldoze Palestinian Camps
Associated Press (Greg Myre)
- This article is unbalanced. The photo, headline and sub-headline factually state UNBALANCED
reason. It is not until the sixth paragraph that there is mention that the camp
had been launching daily grenade attacks on an Israeli army base. The article is long
on detail but short on explanation/rebuttal. None was solicited from Israeli officials,
although with reference to grenade attacks, the journalist states that, Israeli military
had no immediate comment. But why should a comment have to be “immediate” to
be included?
- With respect to the disputed section of Jerusalem it certainly could have been OMISSION
seized and annexed it in the 1948 war and proceeded to destroy and desecrate nearly
all Jewish sites during the 1948-67 period.
- In comparison, the July 11 New York Times article, “Israel Bulldozes Houses,” OMISSION
omitted that appeared in the New York Times:
– The army said the structures razed – had been used by Palestinian gunman as cover
for attacks on Israeli troops
– The demolitions, coming after what the army said were stepped up gunfire and grenade
attacks on soldiers patrolling the border
– Israeli outposts and patrols – coming under attack.
JULY 12 CATEGORY
News article: Security Incidents Sharpen Debate in Israel
Associated Press (Greg Myre)
- A Palestinian women in labor was barred from passing an Israeli military checkpoint
for an hour – giving birth in her car to a baby – who died before reaching a clinic.
There is no identification as to the name of the doctor or clinic – unusually vague in
light of the severity of the charges.
JULY 12
No Courant Coverage
A New York Times article dated July 12, cited Israel’s dismantling of 15 new OMISSION
unauthorized outposts built by Jewish settlers.
This important newsworthy event, that Israel dismantles Jewish as well as Palestinian
unauthorized structures, had no coverage in the Courant.
JULY 14
News article: Israel Vows Retaliation for Attacks
Los Angeles Times (Mary Curtius)
- This article was generally neutral. It presented Israel’s position of favoring restraint
(Army) explanation was offered as to the killing of two members of Hamas.
- But again the sanitizing term “militants” instead of terrorists: Two Militants with – IMAGING
JULY 15
Northeast Magazine article: AMY AND THE JEWS by Colin McEnroe
In addition to the numerous controversial columns on Israel Amy Pagnozzi had previously
written, on July 15, 2001, the Courant published a six page article in the Northeast Sunday
JULY 15 (continued) CATEGORY
magazine section titled AMY AND THE JEWS, by Colin McEnroe – a massive coverage,
repeating segments of Ms. Pagnozzi’s previous columns and introducing an alleged
controversy between Amy and the Jewish community.
If the Courant’s readership missed Amy Pagnozzi’s previous columns they certainly would
not miss this one.
Since Colin McEnroe adds nothing new to the substantive issues on Israel but simply quotes
warmed over segments from Amy Pagnozzi’s previous columns, our comments will focus on
Amy and the Jewish community.
- AMY AND THE JEWS appears in large bold letters on the front page and across IMAGING
This unconscionable stereotyping assumes that only Jews are critical of Amy
Pagnozzi, ignoring the fact that non-Jews are also critical, as there are Jews who are in
agreement with Ms. Pagnozzi’s views.
- The sub-headline on the front pages reads, THE POWER OF A COMMUNITY INACCURATE
This is a euphemism for “Jews have power” – a classic anti-Semitic remark.
- Ethan Felson, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council, is INACCURATE
public affairs operation.
There is no explanation from Colin McEnroe as to what is so “remarkable”. Sidney
Laibson, President of PRIMER, served as Chairman of the Community Relations
Council in the mid 80's and attests that there is nothing remarkable about the Jewish
community’s “public affairs operation”. The unprecedented number of letters to the
JULY 15 (continued) CATEGORY
editor was a spontaneous grass-roots response from individuals who were incensed
with Amy Pagnozzi’s virulent anti-Israel columns.
- Religious and ethnic minorities (Jews) whine about coverage – get hysterical
specific story or cartoon – it’s the kind of aggressive, pushy, picky public affairs work INACCURATE
you would do only if in recent history, there had been, systematic attempts to murder as DISTORTION
many of your people as possible (Holocaust).
Jews “whine”; Jews are “pushy”; Jews are “aggressive”; Jews are “picky”. Being
aggressive, pushy and picky, according to Colin McEnroe, would only be accepted if
there were a systematic attempt to murder as many of “your people” as possible – an
incredible insensitive slur and distortion, from the pen of Colin McEnroe. Combining
McEnroe’s slurs with segments from Amy Pagnozzi’s previous columns, as summarized
by Ethan Felson – that “Jews control the media and Washington – and Jewish disrespect
for the blood of non-Jews,” paints a chilling underlying anti-Semitism.
- Amy Pagnozzi’s e-mail to McEnroe alleges that, The American media has presented UNVERIFIED
OMISSION
The statement is without verification. There is no mention that the lethal violence
initiated by Arafat in September 2000 after rejecting the incredible concessions offered
by former Prime Minister Ehud Barak generated shock and disbelief among an over-
whelming majority of Israelis. Yet, the media often portrays an equal morality between
the sides that does not exist. The allegation that “both sides committed atrocities,”
ignores the fact that terrorists deliberately commit atrocities and that Israel defensively
responds by selectively killing or arresting organizers of terrorism that Arafat refuses
to arrest.
- Editor Brian Toolan said: “I never thought that having to agree with the columnist’s DISTORTION
by a point of view.”
JULY 15 (continued) CATEGORY Mr. Toolan’s assessment that the outpouring of hundreds of letters to the editor is simply
a question of being “disappointed by a point of view” is disingenuous. The statement reeks
with inappropriate sarcasm. A differing “point of view” was never the issue, but rather
the failure of such opinion to be accurate and not be based on distortion and omissions.
Ms. Pagnozzi’s column is filled with lies and is viciously biased, which sparked the out-
pouring of public comment.
- Colin McEnroe claims, “I get worried when any group tries to silence a voice in the INACCURATE
Hundreds of individuals not linked to “groups” (Jewish) were deeply upset with Amy
Pagnozzi’s vicious lies, distortions, and intense bias. One of our cherished freedoms –
the freedom of the press, carries with it the responsibility to, “seek the truth as the
public’s right to know the truth.” (Code of Ethics - Society of Professional Journalists)
CONCLUSION
The “Goliath” of power in the media lies with editors and journalists. They decide
what is published and when. Amy Pagnozzi’s frequently published columns on Israel is
extensive in length and scope. The community’s response to Ms. Pagnozzi’s articles, in
hopes of having another point of view published, is in the form of a “Letter to the Editor.”
Since letters must be brief, they can only cover a few of the multitude of issues raised in
the column. The Courant decides which letters are to be published and, because of space
limitations, it is often a small percentage of the letters written. The Courant decides on
the number of “pro” and “anti” letters it publishes and, once published, the writer is
restricted for a period of two to three months before another letter would be considered
for publication. Amy Pagnozzi has no such restriction. She had written nine columns on
the Middle East from October 2000 to June 2001.
The power, indeed, is in the hands of The Hartford Courant and not with the Jews.
The six page article “AMY AND THE JEWS” in addition to the nine columns by Ms.
Pagnozzi, is an arrogant display of such media power.
JULY 17 CATEGORY
News article “Security is Key”
Los Angeles Times (Mary Curtius)
- We view this article, the only news article on Israel that appeared in the Courant IMAGING
discussed the killing of two Israelis and three Palestinians whose bomb blew up. It
was placed at the end of the Sports section, at the bottom of the page.
- In contrast, the July 17 edition of the New York Times prominently reported:
in retaliation – Sharon says, Palestinian Authority does not act against terrorism – and
Richard Boucher of the State Department condemned the suicide bombing in the strongest
possible terms.
None of the above appeared in the Courant.
JULY 18 CATEGORY
No Courant Coverage
A New York Times article, Anxiety rises after attacks in West Bank and Israel: OMISSION
first Palestinian mortar attack against a Jewish neighborhood on Jerusalem’s
Southern rim, and that Israel continued its policy of targeted killings – Hamas has
been planning a major terrorist attack in Jerusalem.
Though newsworthy, the above was not reported in the Courant. It is also of interest
to note the New York Times use of the word “targetting,” not “assassination.”
JULY 19
News article: ‘Stop Sign’ Raised in Mideast Conflict
Los Angeles Times
- The first paragraph refers to Palestinian “martyrs.” The article then describes the DISTORTION
JULY 19 (continued) CATEGORY
The passing of the mourners through Nativity Square appears to link the “martyrs”
(terrorists) with Jesus – a false and immoral linkage.
JULY 20
News article: Slain Boy’s Father Visits JCC
Courant Staff Writer
This article sympathetically presents comments from the father of a 14-year old
murdered by Palestinians while hiking.
JULY 21
News article: Palestinian Dies in Building Explosion
Associated Press: (Nasser Shiyoukhi)
- Beit Jalla is described as a “Palestinian village,” which implies sovereignty. The INACCURATE
the Palestinian Authority for interim control in accordance with the Oslo Accords.
- The article refers to Arafat’s Fatah military wing, the militant group of Hamas,
places a smoke screen over their true identity – terrorists.
JULY 27
No Courant Coverage:
On July 27, the New York Times article reported:
- 17 year old Israeli was killed –
with attacks on Israelis – Earlier, a bomb was reported to have exploded next to a bus
carrying Israeli school girls.
Although newsworthy, none of the above was reported in the Courant.
JULY 30 CATEGORY
No Courant Coverage
On July 30, the New York Times reported:
- Palestinians on an elevated Muslim compound hurling stones at Jews praying below –
a barrage of rocks, some quite large. The attack came on Tisha B’Av, a day when Jews
traditionally gather to mourn the destruction of the Ancient Temples. The Times also
reported that – In a Jewish Neighborhood in Northern Israel (Pizgat Zev), a car bomb
exploded in a parking lot.
- None of the above was covered in the Courant.
JULY 31
No Courant Coverage OMISSION
On July 31, a day of much activity, the New York Times reported:
- Six Palestinians were blown apart in an explosion between Nablus and Jenin. . .
accident” (blowing themselves up while preparing bombs).
- In Northern Israel, a drive-by shooting of an Israeli.
- Israeli border police were wounded patrolling a kibbutz in Israel.
- In a Jewish settlement near Gaza, a 9-year old girl hit by mortar shrapnel.
- In Jerusalem, a Jewish man was stabbed and critically wounded.
- In Jerusalem, a bomb exploded in a supermarket.
Although the numerous Israeli deaths and injuries committed by Palestinian terrorists on
this day were certainly newsworthy, the Courant chose to remain silent.
August