CUFI hits CBS for 60 Minutes' hatchet job
Jennifer Rubin reports that Christians United for Israel (CUFI) has urged its members to email CBS to protest the extreme bias in Sunday night's piece on 'Palestinian Christians.' Some Christians in the United States are not sitting still for this. Christians United for Israel (CUFI), the largest pro-Zionist group in the country, sent out an ”action alert” asking its members to contact CBS and air their complaints. The letter to CUFI members states: “This story scapegoated Israel and ignored the greatest threats facing the Christians of the Middle East. By focusing on the wrong story and blaming the wrong party, you have squandered a precious opportunity.” It continues: “The Christians of the Middle East do face unprecedented threats. As Islamic terrorists have stepped up their attacks against Christians, we are witnessing the collapse of the ancient Christian communities of Iraq, Egypt and Syria. Yet you chose to ignore these threats and focus instead on the security measures that Israel has taken to protect its citizens — Jewish, Christian and Muslim — from the very same Islamic terror.” A CUFI spokesman tells me that 16,000 e-mails were sent to CBS in the first four hours.I wonder if anyone at CBS will now understand how out of touch with reality they are. Nah, that would be expecting too much.
Labels: anti-Israel media bias, Christians United for Israel, Palestinian Christians
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 10:34 AM
11 Comments:
An Open Letter to America’s Christian Zionists
http://www.newevangelicalpartnership.org/?q=node/139
From David P. Gushee and Glen H. Stassen September 19, 2011
Officially, Israel long ago entered into negotiations with Palestinian leaders toward a two-state solution. Unofficially, it appears that the current government in Israel is renouncing this path. Ideological rather than pragmatic factors are clearly contributing to this unofficial but visible renunciation. The most important ideological factor is the belief that Israel deserves the entirety of the land and that Palestinians have no legitimate claim on any part of it.
As you know, this belief is one form of what goes by the name “Zionism.” When it is religiously motivated, it is an especially powerful belief, because Israel’s “title” to every square inch of the land is believed to be granted by God in the Bible. We were told in Israel that the number of religious Jewish Zionists in Israel is today growing appreciably, and that many are to be found in the settlements on Palestinian land (which they do not accept is Palestinian land). It is hard to see how they will ever voluntarily leave their homes, even if Israel signs a peace agreement. In short: Israel has created the conditions for a civil war if they try to dismantle settlements, and for a Palestinian revolt or a wider Middle East war if they never end their occupation.
This letter, though, is not about religious Jewish Zionism and its destructive effects on Israeli policy. It is about the Christian version of the same belief.
This Christian version of Zionism matters deeply, not just because theology intrinsically matters, but because it is overwhelmingly clear that American evangelical-fundamentalist Christian Zionism affects US policy toward Israel and the Palestinians in distressing ways. It is one reason why the United States stands almost alone in the world community in supporting Israeli policies which our international friends generally find intolerable if not immoral and illegal.
Not to put too fine a point on it, we wish to claim here that the prevailing version of American Christian Zionism—that is, your belief system—underwrites theft of Palestinian land and oppression of Palestinian people, helps create the conditions for an explosion of violence, and pushes US policy in a destructive direction that violates our nation’s commitment to universal human rights. In all of these, American Christian Zionism as it currently stands is sinful and produces sin. We write as evangelical Christians committed lifelong to Israel's security, and we are seriously worried about your support for policies that violate biblical warnings about injustice and may lead to the outcome you most fear—serious harm to or even destruction of Israel.
We write as evangelicals to you, our fellow evangelicals. On the shared basis of biblical authority, we ask you to reconsider your interpretation of Scripture, for the sake of God, humanity, the United States, and, yes, Israel itself, the Land and People we both love.
I A Question of (Whose) Holy Land
http://blog.thejerusalemfund.org/2012/04/what-bob-simon-got-right-and-wrong.html
The Israeli Ambassador is right to complain of a 'hatchet job' but he was the one who brought the hatchet then proceeded to turn it on himself. Simon just kept the cameras rolling.
What he got wrong: Bob Simon made one glaring factual error which was dissapointing. Almost in passing, as he narrates over imagery of Israel's wall in the West Bank, Simon says that: "Israel built the wall over the last 10 years, which completely separates Israel from the occupied West Bank." But, of course, this is far from true. In fact, the wall cuts deeply into the West Bank and is not built on the green line, the West Bank's perimeter. What makes this error more disappointing is that in a 60 Minutes segement that Mr. Simon did in 2009 (also very much worth watching) he described the wall's path far more accurately:
"Israel is building what it calls a security wall between the West Bank and Israel to stop suicide bombers. The Palestinians are furious because it appropriates eight percent of the West Bank. Not only that. It weaves its way through Palestinian farms, separating farmers from their land. They have to wait at gates for soldiers to let them in."
Overall, this story was a very important expose of Israel's treatment of Palestinians and also how Israel attempts to regulate mainstream American discourse on the issue. For this, we have to thank Bob Simon and the folks at 60 Minutes, and of course, Ambassador Michael Oren.
For how much longer will Israel's oppression of the native Palestinians last? For how much longer will the US mainstream media hesitate to tackle this issue and give voice to Palestinians?
The clock is ticking and thanks to this 60 Minutes segment last night it is ticking a little faster this morning.
“Why I’m Not a Christian Zionist, Academically Speaking”
Gary M. Burge, Ph.D., Professor of New Testament
http://www.christianzionism.org/Article/Burge02.pdf
The average reader may be excused for not understanding the finer differences between an evangelical preacher who calls for a pre-emptive bombing strike against Iran and one who thinks this view is outrageous and immoral. Particularly when both might be classified as conservative Protestants.
How do we clear the fog? For instance, high-profile pastor John
Hagee of San Antonio, Texas, is a Christian preacher who enjoys outrageously militant sermons,
especially when he is preaching them before his 14,000 member congregation.
Others like myself find him not only embarrassing but dangerous. How does the average observer make sense of these two views when both spring from Protestant church?
Hagee is a “Dispensationalist.” I am a Reformed Theologian. He takes his cues from recent (as in 100 year old) writers such as Darby, Schofield, and Ryrie. I take my cues from older
writers such as 16th century John Calvin, the Anglican and Presbyterian worlds, and theologians who belong to the “Reformed Tradition.” Believe it or not, both of us could be called
“evangelicals.”
Dispensationalism was born in the late 19th century as an attempt to parcel out human history with a series of seven biblical categories (or dispensations) for time: there was the era (or covenant) of Adam, of Noah, and others. We live in the era of the church and it will be
followed by the end of time (the Millennium). Dispensationalism embraced a pessimistic view
of history, thinking that the world was coming to its end and that the judgment day was near.
And as a result, it became sectarian, separating itself from mainstream society, calling sinners to
repent and be saved from the inevitable catastrophe of the human story.
Reformed theology is not so grim. It has generally embraced an optimistic understanding of life, thinking that the gospel is a call to transform the world (not separate from it) and
participate with society bringing the good things of God to bear on the things of this world. Note this test: Reformed Theology might promote “secular” art and music; Dispensationalists will
promote “Christian” art and music. Why? It all depends on if you think the world has anything to offer.
But here is another test.
Dispensationalism decided in the 20th century that the catalyst of
the end of time was the reestablishment of the State of Israel – which thrilled them in 1948
when Israel announced its nationhood. Israel’s various military victories in 1967 and 1973 were confirmations of a divine hand on Israel’s future. Many dispensationalists have been caught up in a zeal to see this age end and the next begin. If prophesies are being fulfilled, if history is at
its terminus, then Christians are obligated to join in what God is doing. And this expression of
faith is no where clearer that when one raises the question of Israel. Such religious zealots today
are known as Christian Zionists.
If you want to ruin an evangelical party, just ask this question aloud:
Are Christians obligated as Christians to support the State of Israel at all costs?
The room will divide, quickly.
John Hagee and I would be standing in opposite corners (that is, if we ever attended the same parties).
So what would be our differences?
Chayma do you believe your lies?
First, Israel existed 1500 years before Mohammad was born.
When you have Palestinian leaders teaching their people, If their are 10 Jews and you kill 6 of them, how many Jews are Left?
When you have these same wicked leaders telling their people that Jews are the sons of Pigs and Apes.
When you have Palestinian Mufti's teaching in Mosques that the highest goal for a Muslim is to kill the Jews and to think Bob Simon supports these evil people.
Even though their was never in history a state called Palestine, 6 times the Palestinians turned down a state since the Peel commision in 37.
The reason why is very simple, cause their would be a Jewish state not controlled by the Arabs.
Only when the Palestinians extremist/rejectionist/supremacist attitude changes will peace really be possible.
THE REAL ESSENSE OF ''MIDEAST'' CONFLICT''
Arabs want to destroy Israel, but Israel doesn't want to be destroyed.
I have seen the videos of Hamas and Fatah fighters grabbing children off the street to use as human shields. Their use of ambulances to transport arms and terrorists, and the use of mosques, schools and hospitals as military installations.
Hamas and Fatah have called for genocide against Jews.
The Arabs continually initiate the violence. The Israelis have not fired the first shots.
Do the Palestinians expect not to be fired back on? Its ok for them to blow up school children and civilians intentionally? Someone please explain to me how the Israelis could possibly live next to such a violent people. I personally don't see how it can be done at this point. All I see is the Palestinians provoking war and using any method they can to get all of Israel.
Chayma i advise you to read this speech by Israeli Amb Prosor which answers every lie you said.
http://elderofziyon.blogspot.com/2012/04/great-speech-by-ron-prosor-at-un.html#disqus_thread
April 23, 2012
Great speech by Ron Prosor at the UN
It is really compelling to hear someone tell the truth in a hall of lies:
Never in history was there a Palestinian state. The original Palestinians in the 20th century were Jewish---they called their newspaper the Palestine Post and their orchestra the Palestine Symphony. In those days, the Arabs called themselves Greater Syrians. Even after Israel's birth in 1948, no Arabs called themselves Palestinians. The "Palestinians" began calling themselves that only after the 1967 war, when the Egyptian Arafat needed Pallywood propaganda that their was a Palestinian people.
You just had a top Hamas leader admit the Palestinians do not exist and are really Arabs from other Arabs states.
Read and enjoy.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2869707/posts
So with each decade and more outrageous tactic, the Palestinians have proven
themselves less and less worthy of trust. Kidnapping Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympics, hijacking jets, bombing civilians on buses, shopping malls, pizzeria's, disco's etc. Then naming streets after these mass murderers which is why they cannot ever be allowed to control Jerusalem.
The Pals leadership has truly been twisted.
Teaching their kids to strap bombs on them for 72 virgins shows how sick they have been.
I dont see how peace is possible with child abusers like PA and Hamas
I'm a member of CUFI, Christians United for Israel. Here's the text of the email that CUFI sent out today to all members and the complaint form to CBS News:
Dear [member],
The media has done it once again! Last night, the CBS show 60 Minutes aired a story about the Christians of Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The story suggested that the Christian population of these areas is disappearing and that Israel is largely to blame for this crisis. Neither assertion is true.
What a wasted opportunity! The Christians of the Middle East are facing unprecedented peril. As Islamic terrorists have stepped up their attacks on the region's Christians, the ancient Christian communities of Iraq, Egypt and Syria are collapsing before our eyes. Yet 60 Minutes ignored this true tragedy in order to focus its fire on Israel's efforts to protect its citizens from the very same Islamic terror.
60 Minutes could have sounded the alarm about one of the great tragedies of our time. Instead, it chose to attack Israel -- the one country in the Middle East where the Christian population is growing and Christians are truly free to practice their faith.
Click here to tell CBS and 60 Minutes that you object to their decision to air this biased report which scapegoats Israel and ignores the real threats facing Christians in the Middle East.
Blessings to you and those you love,
Pastor John Hagee
National Chairman
Christians United for Israel
David Brog
Executive Director
Christians United for Israel
The text of the complaint letter is:
Complaint about 60 Minutes story "Christians of the Holy Land"
Dear [Decision Maker],
As a member of Christians United for Israel, I am writing to express my concern with the 60 Minutes story "Christians of the Holy Land" which aired on April 22nd. This story scapegoated Israel and ignored the greatest threats facing the Christians of the Middle East. By focusing on the wrong story and blaming the wrong party, you have squandered a precious opportunity.
Since you didn't report them, let me remind you of some of the facts:
* Since its birth in 1948, Israel's Christian population has grown dramatically.
* In the West Bank, the Christian population has not shrunk in absolute terms since 1967. On the contrary, the Palestinian Authority recently reported that the Christian population is growing.
* The only way in which the Christian population is shrinking is as a percentage of the overall population. This shift is due overwhelmingly to the fact that the region's Muslim population is growing so quickly.
The Christians of the Middle East do face unprecedented threats. As Islamic terrorists have stepped up their attacks against Christians, we are witnessing the collapse of the ancient Christian communities of Iraq, Egypt and Syria. Yet you chose to ignore these threats and focus instead on the security measures that Israel has taken to protect its citizens -- Jewish, Christian and Muslim -- from the very same Islamic terror.
By failing to see past your own bias, you have done a tremendous disservice to all who truly care about the fate of the Middle East's Christians.
Sincerely,
The lesson for CBS is that this isn't Europe. Americans can't be lied to as easily.
Dan Kelso, don't know why you're saying what you are, it's not related to what I said, nor the facts
BH Iowa
Wrong. Americans are lied to, that's why over the last few years, theyve been turning to Euro media, particularly Guardian, BBC and Al Jazeera. These three have opened specific American channels on the net too, because of American demand for QUALITY media.
Euorpeans are better educated and have far better general knowledge than Americans, moreover, your country has a hugh ignorant populace, of which Christian Zionists are somewhere at the bottom,
In education, wealth, and knowledge, it's liberals that lead, not your Republican crowd.
What's the Constitution? Don't bother asking 70% of Americans: Alarming number of U.S. citizens don't know basic facts about their own country
By Rachel Quigley
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1368482/How-ignorant-Americans-An-alarming-number-U-S-citizens-dont-know-basic-facts-country.html
An alarming number of Americans did not know basic information about the Constitution, namely that it was the supreme law of the land, that it was set up at the Constitutional Convention and that the first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights.
Newsweek reported that civil ignorance is nothing new. Americans have been misunderstanding checks and balances and misidentifying their senators for as long as they have existed.
And their ignorance is only highlighted by the knowledge of their European peers.
In March 2009, the European Journal of Communication asked citizens of Britain, Denmark, Finland and the U.S. to answer questions on international affairs.
Europe came out on top. Around three quarters of British, Finnish and Danish people could, for example, identify the Taliban but just over a half of Americans could, despite the fact they led the charge in Afghanistan.
Many blame it on the complexity of the U.S. political system.
Michael Schudson, author of The Good Citizen, said: 'Nobody is competent to understand it all, which you realize every time you vote. You know you’re going to come up short, and that discourages you from learning more.'
Others blame it on economic inequality in the U.S. as the top 400 households have more money than the bottom 60 per cent combined.
NYU socioloist Dalton Conley told Newsweek: 'It’s like comparing apples and oranges. Unlike Denmark, we have a lot of very poor people without access to good education, and a huge immigrant population that doesn’t even speak English.'
BH Iowa
Age of Ignorance
Charles Simic March 20, 2012
The New York Review of Books
Widespread ignorance bordering on idiocy is our new national goal. It’s no use pretending otherwise and telling us, as Thomas Friedman did in the Times a few days ago, that educated people are the nation’s most valuable resources. Sure, they are, but do we still want them? It doesn’t look to me as if we do. The ideal citizen of a politically corrupt state, such as the one we now have, is a gullible dolt unable to tell truth from bullshit.
An educated, well-informed population, the kind that a functioning democracy requires, would be difficult to lie to, and could not be led by the nose by the various vested interests running amok in this country. Most of our politicians and their political advisers and lobbyists would find themselves unemployed, and so would the gasbags who pass themselves off as our opinion makers. Luckily for them, nothing so catastrophic, even though perfectly well-deserved and widely-welcome, has a remote chance of occurring any time soon. For starters, there’s more money to be made from the ignorant than the enlightened, and deceiving Americans is one of the few growing home industries we still have in this country. A truly educated populace would be bad, both for politicians and for business.
It took years of indifference and stupidity to make us as ignorant as we are today.
######
No doubt, the Internet and cable television have allowed various political and corporate interests to spread disinformation on a scale that was not possible before, but to have it believed requires a badly educated population unaccustomed to verifying things they are being told. Where else on earth would a president who rescued big banks from bankruptcy with taxpayers’ money and allowed the rest of us to lose $12 trillion in investment, retirement, and home values be called a socialist?
In the past, if someone knew nothing and talked nonsense, no one paid any attention to him. No more. Now such people are courted and flattered by conservative politicians and ideologues as “Real Americans” defending their country against big government and educated liberal elites. The press interviews them and reports their opinions seriously without pointing out the imbecility of what they believe. The hucksters, who manipulate them for the powerful financial interests, know that they can be made to believe anything, because, to the ignorant and the bigoted, lies always sound better than truth:
######
One could easily list many more such commonplace delusions believed by Americans. They are kept in circulation by hundreds of right-wing political and religious media outlets whose function is to fabricate an alternate reality for their viewers and their listeners. “Stupidity is sometimes the greatest of historical forces,” Sidney Hook said once. No doubt. What we have in this country is the rebellion of dull minds against the intellect. That’s why they love politicians who rail against teachers indoctrinating children against their parents’ values and resent the ones who show ability to think seriously and independently. Despite their bravado, these fools can always be counted on to vote against their self-interest. And that, as far as I’m concerned, is why millions are being spent to keep my fellow citizens ignorant.
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