Arab World and Arab Media Comments
Arab's Justification of Acts of Violence
They remain doggedly persistent. The core of the Arab editorial is basically and essentially to portray the Israelis as constant aggressors. This month, the Arab media placed a strong emphasis on "Israeli crimes" which according to editorials published in AL SAFIR, AL AHRAM and in AL JAZEERA Arab news edition on line " They appear nothing but a secondary detail, Israeli declarations that they will wreak vengeance on Palestinian society as a means to pressure the factions into halting their military operations fall on deaf ears. The official American definition of terrorism, as defined in the Patriot Act, holds that terrorism is "to subject American civilians to acts of violence with the intent of influencing the policy of their government". Well, Tel Aviv has made it abundantly clear that it is bombarding Palestinians in order to influence the policy of their leadership. But the US vetoed a security council decision condemning Israeli aggression in Gaza. And what is the Arab stand on this? You won't find out in the Arab press."
PRAISING THE US AND ISRAEL-ARAB PEACE EFFORTS IN OFFICIAL MEETINGS, WHILE ATTACKING THE US AND ISRAEL IN THEIR ARAB NEWSPAPERS
Several editorials in the Arab press in Lebanon, Syria and Egypt wrote that there was a time when Arabs spoke about American phases in the region. There was a Truman phase, a Kissinger phase, a Carter phase and a Baker phase. Perhaps Arabs should now talk of a Sharon phase, a phase of Israeli schemes and projects. Its most salient features are to be found in the military and political structures and operations required to marginalize the Palestinian cause, even in the Arab world, making the disengagement plan the only available alternative, with no roadmaps or even detours.
The Arab media is placing a strong emphasis on the so-called "Israeli phase". Several commentaries on the front page of major Arab newspapers characterized the "Israeli Phase" as a series of attempts to internationalize the Congress approved boycott of Syria.
ARAB FALSIFICATIONS OF FACTS AND INTENTIONS OF ISRAEL
The overwhelming number of articles published in the Arab media between October 1st and October 18Th, and geared toward distorting the intention of Israel added more confusion in the mind of ordinary Arab citizens. Editorials and articles in Arab Gulf area and Middle East newspapers claimed that Israel has no intention -whatsoever- to bring peace to the region. One particular statement caught my attention. It was published in Al AHRAM newspaper and posted on their website. It goes like this: " If Syria really wants peace, Israel says, it must demonstrate this "in deeds, not in words". At the same time, and without batting an eyelash, Israel refuses to negotiate with Syria because negotiations could only result in Israel withdrawing to pre-June 1967 borders.
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