Alex Safian, PhD

National Geographic, Israel and Water: The Facts

National Geographic's Parting the Waters, about Israeli and Palestinian use of water really just parts from the truth. To cite just one of many deceptions, it leads readers to believe there are no Palestinian swimming pools – like the one pictured above, in Jenin.

Israel’s Right to Blockade Gaza and to Interdict Shipping

Under international law Israel is within its rights to establish a maritime blockade of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, and to arrest "peace activists" on board vessels attempting to run the blockade, since Hamas is a hostile entity engaged in illegal armed confiict against Israeli civilians.

A Checkpoint Checkup

Crowded QalandiaThe AP reported on how long it takes Palestinians to get through the "humiliating" Qalandia checkpoint near Jerusalem. They omitted that it was quicker than travelers get through security checkpoints at some major US airports.

After Detroit Terror Attack Fails, Diane Sawyer Profiles Israel

Diane SawyerFollowing the failed terror attack on Northwest Airlines, ABC's Diane Sawyer and Pierre Thomas falsely charged that Israeli security, while effective, profiles Muslims. In fact, Israel profiles for terrorism, not for race, religion or ethnicity.

Amnesty Water Report Waterboards the Truth

Amnesty International's Troubled Waters – Palestinians denied fair access to water, recycles old and false anti-Israel charges, condemning Israel's supposed use of Palestinian water. But, in fact, Palestinians are using Israeli water. Typically, Amnesty also claims that Israeli settlements have luxurious pools while Palestinians are parched. Again, Amnesty is dead wrong – Palestinians have pools galore, including this one in Jenin, shown in the photo at left.

Amanpour Strikes Again

AmanpourChristiane Amanpour's CNN Special Generation Islam was supposed to explore the battle for the "hearts and minds" of young Muslims, especially in Afghanistan and Gaza. Unfortunately it was instead the usual Amanpour propaganda, especially in the second hour, where the subject might have been Gaza but the target was clearly Israel.

George Bisharat’s Kangaroo Court

George BisharatGeorge Bisharat, a law professor at UC Hastings, has the very unfortunate habit of leveling blatantly false charges in his anti-Israel op-eds, which just as unfortunately sometimes get published in major newspapers.

Charges of IDF “Wanton Killing” Crumble

The brigade commander of the unit linked to alleged “wanton killings” in Gaza launched his own investigation after hearing of the charges. He spoke with actual eyewitnesses who said that the alleged killings did not take place.