His portrayal of an oppressive Israeli army mowing down peaceful civilian demonstrators at Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip is at odds with the evidence.
Kansas City Star, the city’s largest circulation daily newspaper, in an Op-Ed written by a Star editorial board member, touted a propagandistic anti-Israel speech by Hanan Ashrawi, Palestinian official.
Speaker Gingrich's comments were a chance to explore contradictory statements by many Arab leaders and scholars, such as Philip Hitti, about Palestinian national identity, but the touchy topic was largely ducked by journalists.
A striking exchange among several guests on the October 15 edition of "Larry King Live" demonstrated the difference between a journalist who adds to viewers’ understanding of a dangerous world and King’s fawning avoidance of facts which may make his guests feel uncomfortable.
Hanan Ashrawi, the Palestinian spokeswoman widely lauded in the West as a voice for peace and moderation, has endorsed the murder of Israeli soldiers and civilian settlers, stating that "the army of occupation and the settlers have become legitimate and select targets of Palestinian resistance." (AP, November 15, 2000)
Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and spokeswoman for the Palestinians, frequently appears on American television and radio. She makes an emotional case in a rapid-fire, filibuster style of expression that flouts historical fact and present reality. All too often, her interviewers are unequipped or unwilling to challenge the barrage of inaccurate and distorted statements.
Starting from false premises, journalists have routinely portrayed Israel both as the instigator of the violence, and as obligated to make concessions in order to stop the violence.