Poor Advice
March 20, 2009 | Jamie Hyams
In a March 9 Age piece, the ANU’s Amin Saikal took it upon himself to advise Barak Obama on Middle East policy. He claimed the Bush Administration’s policy had “denied Hamas its right to exercise power as the democratic choice of the Palestinian people.” This is untrue.
Not so Jolly Rodgers
March 13, 2009 | Jamie Hyams
On March 3, Age readers were subjected to a typically jaundiced and poorly argued opinion piece from Peter Rodgers.
Gunness Shoots Off
March 6, 2009 | Jamie Hyams
Media reports during Israel’s Gaza campaign often featured UNRWA head John Ging or spokesperson Christopher Gunness stridently and, dare I say, disproportionately attacking Israel. Woe betide anyone who attacks them though.
Wild and Woollacott
February 27, 2009 | Jamie Hyams
A review by Guardian writer Martin Woollacott of Patrick Tyler’s book A World of Trouble: America in the Middle East appeared in the “Panorama” section of the February 14 Canberra Times. Tyler strongly criticises US actions in the Middle East and Woollacott, a long time critic of Israel, strongly agrees.
Lateline and Dateline
February 20, 2009 | Jamie Hyams
In last week’s JN, AIJAC’s Tzvi Fleischer commented on the unfairness of the ABC TV show “Lateline” using hard left Israeli commentator Akiva Eldar as for its analysis of the Israeli election.
Israel’s centrist ground
February 13, 2009 | Colin Rubenstein
Despite campaign rhetoric from all sides, the close result and large number of late deciders demonstrates that there is a lack of clear ideological or policy distinctions between the main parties. A wide consensus has developed in Israeli politics and public opinion on the desirability of a two-state resolution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
Atrocity or Atrocious Reporting?
February 13, 2009 | Jamie Hyams
In the front page of the January 31 Weekend Australian, Middle East correspondent John Lyons detailed uncorroborated claims by Palestinian eyewitnesses that Israeli soldiers had shot dead in cold blood two Palestinians who had their hands in the air, and had also shot two others in the arms.
Current Affairs shows revert to Israel-bashing kind
February 12, 2009 | Tzvi Fleischer
How would most Australians feel if a mainstream television station overseas interviewed far left-wing Australian journalist John Pilger as its only commentator on an Australian election?
You Don’t Say
February 6, 2009 | Jamie Hyams
One common problem with media coverage is the selective quoting of officials. An excellent example occurred in a report by Natalie McGregor for the ABC TV “Midday Report” on January 27.
No short cuts on road to peace in Gaza conflict
January 31, 2009 | Bren Carlill
The most important measure preventing a return of mass violence is stopping Hamas rocket attacks on Israel. Unfortunately, Hamas has shown it cannot be deterred. Thus, it must be forced to stop.
Bad Times in Canberra
January 30, 2009 | Jamie Hyams
Perhaps concerned that its title as Australia’s most anti-Israel mainstream newspaper was under threat from The Age, the Canberra Times removed all doubt about its credentials.
Iran’s the winner if ceasefire fails
January 23, 2009 | Colin Rubenstein
This latest fighting was part of the region-wide struggle between moderate Arab states on the one side, and Iran and its terrorist proxies on the other. A successful military operation against Hamas, followed by an effective ceasefire, will set back Tehran’s regional ambitions and attempts to destabilise the region, and help prospects for a two-state resolution to the conflict.
