Israel Matzav

Cat's got Haaretz's tongue on Libya

CAMERA notes that Haaretz has largely been silent regarding Libya. CAMERA speculatively attributes this silence to shame at Haaretz for having roundly criticized those who opposed the fawning visit to Libya last spring by a group of six 'Israeli Arab' MK's in an editorial published at the time.

Hysteria gripped the right wing in the Knesset after an Arab delegation of MKs and dignitaries visited Libya. . . .The tongues of Habayit Hayehudi and National Union, two parties that could unite under the name "the Racist Union," were abruptly unleashed as though they were dealing with an unparalleled act of treason. . .

Libya is not on the list of enemy states. . . Libya signed the Arab League's peace initiative, holds the League's rotating presidency, and its ruler Muammar Gadhafi maintains excellent relations with the U.S. administration.

The only commentary on Libya in Haaretz has not come from its editorial staff or from any of its columnists, but from Salman Masalha, an Israeli Arab who criticized the trip last year.

All the Arab public figures who went to Libya were as political mercenaries in the service of Gadhafi the tyrant. They should now publicly express remorse and beg forgiveness, first from the Libyan people and next from the Arab citizens they purport to represent.

A public accounting is not only necessary but would also show that they have learned their lesson and intend to mend their ways. If not, Israel's Arab citizens should turn their backs on them and toss them in the garbage, just as Arab nations are rising up against their corrupt leaders. And the sooner, the better.

Will Haaretz join the 'Israeli Arab MK's in begging forgiveness for their summary dismissal of those who criticized the trip? Don't hold your breath. But even the subtle recognition that they were mistaken is major progress for Haaretz.

Labels: Haaretz, Israeli Arab, Libya, Muammar Gaddafi

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 11:40 AM