Post by Teddy Bear on Dec 25, 2005 0:02:26 GMT
Earlier this week, Honest Reporting showed how The Statesman and Baltimore Sun blamed Israel for declining Christian population in the Palestinian territories. Here is HR's critique:
Christmas In Bethlehem
Now today 2 versions of a story, one from AP, and the other the BBC. Compare the two:
First AP
Christmas Pilgrims Flock to Bethlehem By SARAH EL DEEB, Associated Press Writer
Now see how the BBC present this story
Bethlehem a 'prison' - patriarch
That's BBC 'balance' for you. Even though AP is no lover of Israel, and does not present facts as put forward by Honest Reporting, they have still managed to put some balance into their story.
Christmas In Bethlehem
Media exaggerate Bethlehem's demise and under-report anti-Christian violence by Palestinians
The New Statesman and the Baltimore Sun paint a very grim picture of the city of Bethlehem a few weeks before Christmas. According to the Sun:
A once-bustling neighborhood has become a ghost town. Shops are shuttered or empty, and the streets are deserted. A sign carries the name of an abandoned restaurant. "Memories," it says. Another sign near an empty shell says, "Border Cafeteria."
Typical of the The Statesman's claims is the following:
The flicker of optimism has been dampened by the completion of the barrier around Bethlehem and the installation of the gate, which has given a sense of permanence to the isolation and the economy's free fall. The £4m crossing is daunting even for tourists, who are searched on their coaches as they enter Bethlehem.
According to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, each one of these points is factually incorrect:
There is no barrier (completely encircling) Bethlehem. There is only a fence where the Bethlehem area interfaces with Jerusalem and close to the 1949 armistice line. Only a very small segment of the fence is a concrete wall preventing terrorists from shooting at motorists
The economy has actually improved significantly. While 110,000 tourists visited the city during 2004, more than 218,000 have already visited Bethlehem during 2005 - an increase of around 100%. There have been corresponding increases in Bethlehem's main industries: Textiles 50%, Stone and marble export 40%, commercial transportation 20%. These increases have brought millions of dollars into the local economy.
The IDF has decided to take a "calculated risk" to make access easier for tourists. According to IDF Lt. Col. Aviv Feigel in the Jerusalem Post, "The military will try to speed the process by not checking every tourist bus, but conducting spot checks of random buses instead."
Israel is taking this steps despite the fact that "Half of the Israeli terror fatalities in 2004 came from attackers who entered Jerusalem from Bethlehem."
The Statesman also raps Israel for pushing Christians out of Bethlehem. But as FrontPage magazine points out, it is actually the Palestinians who have been forcing the city's Christian residents to leave.
Indeed, just this week, the Vatican, in a rare diplomatic move, called publicly on the Israelis to intervene in Bethlehem on behalf of its severely receding Christian population. Now totaling less than 12% of Bethlehem's population, Christians, who have been the targets of continual PA violence, might leave entirely. The result will be that in the place where Jesus was born there will no longer be a Christian community.
And just this week, Palestinian gunmen disrupted Christmas preparations in Bethlehem taking over the municipality building across from the Church of Nativity (See Associated Press). For a detailed report on Muslim violence against Christians that is largely ignored by the media, click here. Despite the Palestinian efforts to push out Christian residents, this holiday season will see thousands of pilgrims celebrating Christmas in Bethlehem. The New Statesmen and Baltimore Sun should cover the facts and not rely on Palestinian propaganda.
The New Statesman and the Baltimore Sun paint a very grim picture of the city of Bethlehem a few weeks before Christmas. According to the Sun:
A once-bustling neighborhood has become a ghost town. Shops are shuttered or empty, and the streets are deserted. A sign carries the name of an abandoned restaurant. "Memories," it says. Another sign near an empty shell says, "Border Cafeteria."
Typical of the The Statesman's claims is the following:
The flicker of optimism has been dampened by the completion of the barrier around Bethlehem and the installation of the gate, which has given a sense of permanence to the isolation and the economy's free fall. The £4m crossing is daunting even for tourists, who are searched on their coaches as they enter Bethlehem.
According to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, each one of these points is factually incorrect:
There is no barrier (completely encircling) Bethlehem. There is only a fence where the Bethlehem area interfaces with Jerusalem and close to the 1949 armistice line. Only a very small segment of the fence is a concrete wall preventing terrorists from shooting at motorists
The economy has actually improved significantly. While 110,000 tourists visited the city during 2004, more than 218,000 have already visited Bethlehem during 2005 - an increase of around 100%. There have been corresponding increases in Bethlehem's main industries: Textiles 50%, Stone and marble export 40%, commercial transportation 20%. These increases have brought millions of dollars into the local economy.
The IDF has decided to take a "calculated risk" to make access easier for tourists. According to IDF Lt. Col. Aviv Feigel in the Jerusalem Post, "The military will try to speed the process by not checking every tourist bus, but conducting spot checks of random buses instead."
Israel is taking this steps despite the fact that "Half of the Israeli terror fatalities in 2004 came from attackers who entered Jerusalem from Bethlehem."
The Statesman also raps Israel for pushing Christians out of Bethlehem. But as FrontPage magazine points out, it is actually the Palestinians who have been forcing the city's Christian residents to leave.
Indeed, just this week, the Vatican, in a rare diplomatic move, called publicly on the Israelis to intervene in Bethlehem on behalf of its severely receding Christian population. Now totaling less than 12% of Bethlehem's population, Christians, who have been the targets of continual PA violence, might leave entirely. The result will be that in the place where Jesus was born there will no longer be a Christian community.
And just this week, Palestinian gunmen disrupted Christmas preparations in Bethlehem taking over the municipality building across from the Church of Nativity (See Associated Press). For a detailed report on Muslim violence against Christians that is largely ignored by the media, click here. Despite the Palestinian efforts to push out Christian residents, this holiday season will see thousands of pilgrims celebrating Christmas in Bethlehem. The New Statesmen and Baltimore Sun should cover the facts and not rely on Palestinian propaganda.
Now today 2 versions of a story, one from AP, and the other the BBC. Compare the two:
First AP
Christmas Pilgrims Flock to Bethlehem By SARAH EL DEEB, Associated Press Writer
BETHLEHEM, West Bank - Thousands of tourists flocked to Bethlehem for Christmas Eve celebrations Saturday, bringing a long-missing sense of holiday cheer to Jesus' historic birthplace.
The festivities capped the most peaceful year since the outbreak of Israeli-Palestinian fighting in September 2000. But Israel's imposing separation barrier at the entrance to town dampened the Christmas spirit and provided a stark reminder of the unresolved conflict.
The gray concrete wall, which Israel erected to keep attackers out of its cities, divides Bethlehem and blocks access to neighboring Jerusalem. The 25-foot-high slabs drew as much attention Saturday as the Church of the Nativity and the grotto where tradition says Jesus was born.
About 30,000 tourists were expected to visit Bethlehem over Christmas — 10,000 more than last year — but still very different from the 1990s, when 150,000 people would visit during the holiday. By early evening, 7,000 tourists had arrived, Israeli officials said, despite stinging cold winds and pouring rain.
At the Vatican, pilgrims and tourists arrived in St. Peter's Square for Pope Benedict XVI's first Christmas service since becoming pontiff.
Spirits in Bethlehem were buoyed this year by Israel's summer withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and a sharp drop in violence. Forecasts of a rare white Christmas added to the excitement.
Throughout the day, choirs, marching bands and bagpipe players entertained the crowds. Several thousand people packed Manger Square — the large, stone-paved courtyard near the Church of the Nativity — as a procession led by Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah entered Bethlehem. It headed for the church, where the top Roman Catholic envoy in the Holy Land was to celebrate Midnight Mass.
"It's awesome here. It is very emotional to come here and see the procession with the thousands of pilgrims who came from all around the world," said Edwina Webster, 53, of Hereford, England.
Bethlehem officials decorated Manger Square with Christmas lights, bells and Palestinian flags. People wandered around wearing Santa Claus hats, holding umbrellas against the rain and trying to keep up their holiday cheer.
Security was heavy days after Palestinian gunmen briefly took over City Hall to demand jobs, but there were no reports of trouble.
Restaurant, shop and hotel owners happily counted their money as visitors packed their establishments for the first time in years.
Locals estimated at least a 20 percent increase in tourists this year.
Israel and the Palestinians agreed to a cease-fire in February, bringing a sharp slowdown in fighting. Some 218 Palestinians and 55 Israelis have been killed this year, compared to nearly 800 Palestinian and 112 Israeli deaths in 2004.
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas arrived in town late Saturday to join the celebrations and attend midnight mass.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon called local Christian leaders on Saturday to wish them a merry Christmas, saying he hopes the new year will bring Israelis and Palestinians peace and security.
"We all need it and I intend to make every effort to reach it," he said in a statement.
The separation barrier prevented tourists from walking into town on the biblical-era route likely used by Jesus and Mary. Instead, they entered through an Israeli checkpoint.
"The wall has got to go. It's a wall of shame. Jesus is a uniter not a divider," said James Elsman, a 69-year-old lawyer from Detroit, a placard saying "Trust Jesus" draped over his shoulders.
Israel eased restrictions at the main checkpoint, decorating the military structure with posters signed by the Tourism Ministry reading "Peace be upon you" and "Visit Bethlehem and Jerusalem and engage for peace."
Driving through the checkpoint, Sabbah said he hoped it would remain open throughout the year so pilgrims could freely cross into Bethlehem from Jerusalem, the sister city just north of Jesus' birthplace.
"Nobody needs checkpoints in the Holy Land. This is the Holy Land and it should be treated as a holy area," Sabbah said.
Maha Sakka, who runs a heritage center in Bethlehem, said residents make the best of a bad situation, and have learned to live with the checkpoints and barrier.
"Now we have a frontier on the northern edge of Bethlehem," Sakka said. "We fear it, but it has become a reality."
The festivities capped the most peaceful year since the outbreak of Israeli-Palestinian fighting in September 2000. But Israel's imposing separation barrier at the entrance to town dampened the Christmas spirit and provided a stark reminder of the unresolved conflict.
The gray concrete wall, which Israel erected to keep attackers out of its cities, divides Bethlehem and blocks access to neighboring Jerusalem. The 25-foot-high slabs drew as much attention Saturday as the Church of the Nativity and the grotto where tradition says Jesus was born.
About 30,000 tourists were expected to visit Bethlehem over Christmas — 10,000 more than last year — but still very different from the 1990s, when 150,000 people would visit during the holiday. By early evening, 7,000 tourists had arrived, Israeli officials said, despite stinging cold winds and pouring rain.
At the Vatican, pilgrims and tourists arrived in St. Peter's Square for Pope Benedict XVI's first Christmas service since becoming pontiff.
Spirits in Bethlehem were buoyed this year by Israel's summer withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and a sharp drop in violence. Forecasts of a rare white Christmas added to the excitement.
Throughout the day, choirs, marching bands and bagpipe players entertained the crowds. Several thousand people packed Manger Square — the large, stone-paved courtyard near the Church of the Nativity — as a procession led by Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah entered Bethlehem. It headed for the church, where the top Roman Catholic envoy in the Holy Land was to celebrate Midnight Mass.
"It's awesome here. It is very emotional to come here and see the procession with the thousands of pilgrims who came from all around the world," said Edwina Webster, 53, of Hereford, England.
Bethlehem officials decorated Manger Square with Christmas lights, bells and Palestinian flags. People wandered around wearing Santa Claus hats, holding umbrellas against the rain and trying to keep up their holiday cheer.
Security was heavy days after Palestinian gunmen briefly took over City Hall to demand jobs, but there were no reports of trouble.
Restaurant, shop and hotel owners happily counted their money as visitors packed their establishments for the first time in years.
Locals estimated at least a 20 percent increase in tourists this year.
Israel and the Palestinians agreed to a cease-fire in February, bringing a sharp slowdown in fighting. Some 218 Palestinians and 55 Israelis have been killed this year, compared to nearly 800 Palestinian and 112 Israeli deaths in 2004.
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas arrived in town late Saturday to join the celebrations and attend midnight mass.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon called local Christian leaders on Saturday to wish them a merry Christmas, saying he hopes the new year will bring Israelis and Palestinians peace and security.
"We all need it and I intend to make every effort to reach it," he said in a statement.
The separation barrier prevented tourists from walking into town on the biblical-era route likely used by Jesus and Mary. Instead, they entered through an Israeli checkpoint.
"The wall has got to go. It's a wall of shame. Jesus is a uniter not a divider," said James Elsman, a 69-year-old lawyer from Detroit, a placard saying "Trust Jesus" draped over his shoulders.
Israel eased restrictions at the main checkpoint, decorating the military structure with posters signed by the Tourism Ministry reading "Peace be upon you" and "Visit Bethlehem and Jerusalem and engage for peace."
Driving through the checkpoint, Sabbah said he hoped it would remain open throughout the year so pilgrims could freely cross into Bethlehem from Jerusalem, the sister city just north of Jesus' birthplace.
"Nobody needs checkpoints in the Holy Land. This is the Holy Land and it should be treated as a holy area," Sabbah said.
Maha Sakka, who runs a heritage center in Bethlehem, said residents make the best of a bad situation, and have learned to live with the checkpoints and barrier.
"Now we have a frontier on the northern edge of Bethlehem," Sakka said. "We fear it, but it has become a reality."
Now see how the BBC present this story
Bethlehem a 'prison' - patriarch
Michel Sabbah said winning hearts was the key to peace.
Israel's most senior Roman Catholic leader has said Bethlehem has become an "immense prison" since the erection of the West Bank barrier.
Michel Sabbah, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, called for all barriers between people to be dismantled.
He was joined by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, ambassadors from several countries and thousands of Christians for Christmas Eve mass in Bethlehem.
Israel says the barrier is defensive, but Palestinians see it as a land grab.
'Bridges of peace'
The patriarch, who is the pope's representative in the Holy Land, called for the barrier to be removed and said "bridges of peace and love" should be built instead.
He defended the rights of Palestinians to have their own homeland and live free of occupation.
But he said those who held power had to realise that they could not rule through violence, but only by winning the hearts of both Palestinians and Israelis.
"Nobody needs checkpoints in the Holy Land," he said, according to Israel Radio.
Mr Abbas, participating for the first time in Christmas celebrations since his election as Palestinian Authority president in January, said his people were "seeking a bridge to peace instead of Israeli walls".
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon called Christian leaders with Christmas greetings and expressed his hope that the new year would bring peace and security for Israel and the Palestinians.
"We all need it and I intend to make every effort to reach it," he said in a statement.
Choirs and bunting
A ceasefire in place between Israel and most Palestinian militants has brought in many more visitors than last year.
Some 30,000 tourists were expected to visit Bethlehem over the Christmas weekend - about 10,000 more than last year.
Israeli officials said about 7,000 tourists had already gathered in the city by Saturday evening.
Israel has built a new crossing point in the eight-metre- (25ft-) high concrete barrier to enable thousands of foreign visitors to pass into Bethlehem.
Throughout the day choirs, marching bands and bagpipe players entertained the crowds, before they gathered in Manger Square to watch a procession led by the patriarch.
Christmas lights, bunting and lines of fluttering Palestinian flags created a sense of cheer despite the sombre political background.
The BBC's Dan Damon in Bethlehem says many Christian pilgrims braved heavy wind and rain to wait outside the Church of the Nativity to celebrate Midnight Mass.
But he says there is still tension, with Palestinians complaining about the lack of jobs and frequent arrest raids by Israeli troops.
Israel's most senior Roman Catholic leader has said Bethlehem has become an "immense prison" since the erection of the West Bank barrier.
Michel Sabbah, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, called for all barriers between people to be dismantled.
He was joined by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, ambassadors from several countries and thousands of Christians for Christmas Eve mass in Bethlehem.
Israel says the barrier is defensive, but Palestinians see it as a land grab.
'Bridges of peace'
The patriarch, who is the pope's representative in the Holy Land, called for the barrier to be removed and said "bridges of peace and love" should be built instead.
He defended the rights of Palestinians to have their own homeland and live free of occupation.
But he said those who held power had to realise that they could not rule through violence, but only by winning the hearts of both Palestinians and Israelis.
"Nobody needs checkpoints in the Holy Land," he said, according to Israel Radio.
Mr Abbas, participating for the first time in Christmas celebrations since his election as Palestinian Authority president in January, said his people were "seeking a bridge to peace instead of Israeli walls".
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon called Christian leaders with Christmas greetings and expressed his hope that the new year would bring peace and security for Israel and the Palestinians.
"We all need it and I intend to make every effort to reach it," he said in a statement.
Choirs and bunting
A ceasefire in place between Israel and most Palestinian militants has brought in many more visitors than last year.
Some 30,000 tourists were expected to visit Bethlehem over the Christmas weekend - about 10,000 more than last year.
Israeli officials said about 7,000 tourists had already gathered in the city by Saturday evening.
Israel has built a new crossing point in the eight-metre- (25ft-) high concrete barrier to enable thousands of foreign visitors to pass into Bethlehem.
Throughout the day choirs, marching bands and bagpipe players entertained the crowds, before they gathered in Manger Square to watch a procession led by the patriarch.
Christmas lights, bunting and lines of fluttering Palestinian flags created a sense of cheer despite the sombre political background.
The BBC's Dan Damon in Bethlehem says many Christian pilgrims braved heavy wind and rain to wait outside the Church of the Nativity to celebrate Midnight Mass.
But he says there is still tension, with Palestinians complaining about the lack of jobs and frequent arrest raids by Israeli troops.
That's BBC 'balance' for you. Even though AP is no lover of Israel, and does not present facts as put forward by Honest Reporting, they have still managed to put some balance into their story.