Article: Clock ticking on bid to stop Iran nuke program

Date: Thursday, December 30, 2010

This was a short article which simply reported the Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Moshe Yaalon said Iran's nuclear program had been set back by technical difficulties and sanctions and appeared to be three years away from a nuclear bomb.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: THE QUOTE

Date: Monday, December 27, 2010

This brief article simply quoted Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman on the Turkish demand for an apology regarding the Mavi Marmara affair, saying "I think the matter of an apology borders on chutzpah or beyond"

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 5
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Seattle rejects bus ads from both sides over Mideast conflict

Date: Saturday, December 25, 2010

This article reported on Seattle rejecting political ads on its buses.

Opinion: The writer inserted opinions about the purpose of the advertising campaign by the anti-Israel group and the purpose of Operation Cast Lead: "The ad campaign was intended to recognize the second anniversary of the start of Israel's Gaza offensive in 2008, which was partly aimed at quashing rocket attacks on Israeli civilian areas."

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 9
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 1

Article: Hard cash: Makeover of Israel's money riles many

Date: Saturday, December 25, 2010

This article reported on controversies surrounding Israel's issuance of new currency.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Leaked cable: Abbas shared intel with Israel

Date: Tuesday, December 21, 2010

This article reported on a cable released by Wikileaks noting Israel and the Palestinian Authority cooperated in working against Hamas.

Opinion: The writer inserted the opinion that "the cooperation described in a diplomatic memo leaked by WikiLeaks could fuel criticism of Abbas by Islamist rivals."

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: American tourist slain while hiking in Israel

Date: Monday, December 20, 2010

This was a brief article about an American tourist being murdered and a British immigrant being stabbed in an attack by two Arab men.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Airstrike kills 5 in Gaza

Date: Sunday, December 19, 2010

This article reports on an Israeli airstrike killing five terrorists preparing to launch rockets at Israeli cities and towns. It was interesting in that, in a rarity for the wire services, it used the word "terror," albeit only in a direct quote, while balancing that oddity by noting "Palestinian hospital officials said the five were militants."

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 9
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Palestinians to Europe: Recognize us as state

Date: Friday, December 17, 2010

This article reports on the Palestinian Arabs seeking international recognition for an independent state.

Misleading. Omission: The article refers to the breakdown of talks between Israel and the Palestinian Arabs without explaining the Arabs simply walked out.

Omission: The article omitted any reference to the fact that the efforts by the Palestinian Arabs to bypass the Oslo Accords were in violation of those agreements, under which both sides agreed to not take actions changing the status of the disputed territories.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 9
Bias-Free: 7
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 2

Article: 2 die in Gaza fighting

Date: Sunday, December 12, 2010

This short article reported on two Islamic Jihad terrorists being killed during an exchange of fire with Israeli troops.

Bias. Omission: The terrorists were referred to as merely being "militants."

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 9
Bias-Free: 9
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Building Freeze Demand Dropped

Date: Wednesday, December 8, 2010

This article reported on the Obama administration dropping its efforts to get Israel to extend its temporary, one-time construction moratorium in the disputed territories.

Inaccuracies: The article incorrectly referred to the American effort as a demand.

Opinion: The writer expressed the opinion that this was a setback.

Opinion: The writer expressed the opinion this "was likely to anger Palestinians."

Opinion: The writer expressed the opinion that the direct talks between Israel and the Palestinian Arabs "fell apart over the settlement issue."

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 8
Bias-Free: 6
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 4

Article: Israel fires extinguished

Date: December 7, 2010

This was a very short article reported the extinguishing of the wildfire in northern Israel.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Commentary: Objectivity In Reporting? That's News To Me

Date: Sunday, December 5, 2010

This was a "conversation" between Gina Barreca and Laurence Cohen about objectivity in the media. It contained a single reference to the Arab-Israeli conflict, an opinion stated by Laurence Cohen: "I also think NPR coverage of the Middle East is distorted and tilted against Israel. That's not so funny."

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 9
Pro-Israel: 1
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Israel says negligence likely caused wildfire

Date: Sunday, December 5, 2010

This was a short article reporting that it appeared the deadly wildfire in the Carmel region was caused by negligence.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Michigan school scraps Helen Thomas award

Date: Sunday, December 5, 2010

This article reported on Wayne State University ending its "Helen Thomas Spirit of Diversity in the Media Award" because of the bigoted, anti-semitic remarks made by Thomas.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Abbas: Self-rule at risk

Date: Saturday, December 4, 2010

This article reported on Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas asserting he might dissolve the Palestinian Authority "if a peace deal could not be achieved with Israel and the world did not recognize a Palestinian state."

Lack of Balance. Absence of Rebuttal. Bias. Omission: The article accurately reported on what Abbas said, but did not include any balancing statements by other sources.

Inaccuracies: It falsely referred to what would happen if "U.S.-backed peace negotiations broke down" despite the fact there are no negotiations since the Arabs already walked out.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 0
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 8

Article: Middle East Peace A Theme For Event

Date: Friday, December 3, 2010

This article announced an event at the Friends Meetinghouse in Storrs.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Israel unveils plans to build more homes

Date: Thursday, December 2, 2010

This article reports on Israeli plans to build homes in its capital city.

Bias. Inaccuracies: The article refers to "Arab east Jerusalem," a non-existent entity.

Opinion: The writer expressed the opinion that the plan would hinder efforts to revive peace talks.

Misleading. Omission: The writer referred to peace talks being suspended after Israel refused to extend a building freeze, which was inaccurately referred to as partial. It omitted to note the Arabs refused to enter talks until the freeze was nearly over and announced they would leave even before they briefly entered them.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 8
Bias-Free: 3
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 8

Article: Israel hit on blockade

Date: Wednesday, December 1, 2010

This article reported on mostly unnamed groups, referred to as human rights organizations, criticizing Israel and claiming its easing of its "economic blockade" has had little effect and done little to improve the lives of Palestinians."

Bias. Omission. Misleading: The article omitted any mention of the reason for Israel's naval blockade: the prevention of weapons smuggling to terrorists in Gaza. It also omitted mentioning that so many goods are being transferred from Israel to Gaza that merchants in Gaza are actually exporting some of those goods to Egypt, where supplies are scarcer are prices are higher.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 7
Bias-Free: 3
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 5

Article: Israel OKs deportations

Date: Monday, November 29, 2010

This article reported on Israel approving a plan to deport thousands of illegal migrant workers.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 1

Article: WikiLeaks papers point to concern of Arab leaders

Date: Monday, November 29, 2010

This article reported on an aspect of the release of classified diplomatic cables by Wikileaks.

Opinion: It referred to the comments as "candid" and providing "often unflattering assessments of foreign leaders." It described leaders of Arab monarchies as often being "publicly reluctant to criticize Iran."

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 2
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Netanyahu wants wall comments rejected

Date: Friday, November 26, 2010

This article reports on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling on the Palestinian Arab leadership to renounce an official Palestinian Authority report "asserting that the Western Wall, one of Judaism's holiest sites, is not Jewish."

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 2
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: CCSU Professor To Discuss Middle East

Date: Tuesday, November 23, 2010

This article is an announcement of a talk by former CCSU Professor Norton Mezvinsky.

Inaccuracies: The article incorrectly refers to Mezvinsky as a "history professor at CCSU. He's a former professor.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 9
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Israel erecting barrier on Egyptian border

Date: Tuesday, November 23, 2010

This article reports on the building of a barrier along the border between Egypt and Israel.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: U.S. accused of trying to soften cluster-bomb ban

Date: Tuesday, November 23, 2010

This article reports on the United States, Russia and China working against a convention to ban cluster bombs. It refers tangentially to Israel.

Opinion: The writer states that the convention was negotiated by countries "frustrated" at blockages of talks in the United Nations.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 8
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Drilling to probe climate, disasters; Dead Sea project's data is 500,000 years in making

Date: Monday, November 22, 2010

This was a non-political article about a scientific project in the Dead Sea.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Israel says it hit tunnels in Gaza

Date: Sunday, November 21, 2010

This article reported on the Israeli air force striking smuggling tunnels in Gaza in response to more than ten mortars and rockets fired at Israel.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 1
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Abbas: U.N. appeal possible

Date: Friday, November 12, 2010

This short article consisted solely of the following paragraph:

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday asserted his government's right to petition the United Nations Security Council to recognize a Palestinian state if Israel refuses to halt construction in the West Bank. He spoke in the West Bank city of Ramallah to mark the sixth anniversary of the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

Omission: The article omitted any reference to the salient facts that such an action would violate the Oslo Agreements committing the Palestinian Arabs to negotiate a peace and refrain from such unilateral acts and that the Oslo Agreements permit construction by both Arabs and Israelis in the disputed areas.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 9
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Clinton, Netanyahu try to revive Mideast talks; Israel may offer plan for meetings with Palestinians

Date: Friday, November 12, 2010

This article by Paul Richter <prichter@tribune.com> reported on meetings between Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attempting to revive the peace negotiations the Palestinian Arabs walked away from.

Opinion: The author inserted his opinion about the Palestinian Arabs refusing "to talk until Israel extends a moratorium on housing construction in the West Bank."

Opinion: The author inserted his opinion that "Israel wants to develop its own proposal to try to bring the Palestinians back to the table."

Omission. Misleading: The article refers to Clinton saying both Netanyahu and Abbas are "very committed" to resolving the conflict. While this may accurately reflect what Clinton said, it is misleading as Abbas has clearly shown no such commitment, refusing even to negotiate and repeatedly insisting he would make no concessions on any core issues and even admitting a peace agreement would have been signed long ago were he willing to exhibit any flexibility.

Illogical: The article reports Obama complaining "new construction announcement could harm the peace effort, because the Palestinians view it as the development of land whose ownership should be decided in final peace negotiations," without noting the argument is self-contradictory.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 9
Bias-Free: 8
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 2

Article: Israel Consul General To Visit Sunday

Date: Friday, November 12, 2010

This was a second, brief announcement of a talk in West Hartford by Hila Elroy of the Israeli Consul General in New York. It was almost identical to the previous article.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 1
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Clinton criticizes Israeli plan; Says new construction impedes peace talks

Date: Thursday, November 11, 2010

This article reported on criticism by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton of of Israeli construction in disputed territories. There was no report of any criticism of Arab construction in disputed territories.

Omission: The article referred to Arabs pulling out of negotiations after Israel "refused to extend a 10-month limited building freeze in West Bank settlements," but omitted any reference to the Arabs refusing to talk for nearly two years or the declaration of the building moratorium as a one-time gesture.

Omission. Misleading: The article referred to the United States giving the Palestinian Authority an additional $150 million "as it readies for full statehood under a potential future peace agreement," but omitted mentioning that the leaders of the Palestinian Authority are repeatedly threatening to declare independence unilaterally, without a peace agreement and in violation of signed commitments to negotiate rather than act unilaterally.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 9
Bias-Free: 8
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 3

Article: U.S., Israel spar; talks in peril; Obama criticizes construction plan in east Jerusalem; Netanyahu firm

Date: Wednesday, November 10, 2010

This was an article by Christi Parsons <cparsons@tribune.com> and Paul Richter about President Obama criticizing construction in Israel's capital and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu reacting to that criticism.

Opinion. Distortion: The article used charged language, beginning by saying "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clashed publicly Tuesday with President Barack Obama," referring to Netanyahu's tone as "defiant."

Misleading: The article refers to Netanyahu "saying his government had never agreed to limit construction there," casting doubt on that despite the fact that the Israeli government has repeatedly and publicly insisted it would never limit construction in its capital.

Opinion: The writers inserted their opinion that Israeli construction "could harm renewed Mideast peace talks.

Opinion: The writers inserted their opinion that Netanyahu's "tone may embarrass Obama."

Opinion: The writers inserted their opinion that "Palestinian Authority leaders will not hold direct talks unless Israel halts construction in the disputed areas."

Illogical: The writers buttress their opinion that the Arabs won't negotiate unless Israel halts construction by saying "Palestinians contend the Israeli units are on lands whose ownership should be decided in negotiations," a contention in conflict with an insistence on a construction halt, since such an insistence is really an attempt to predetermine ownership in advance of negotiations.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 7
Bias-Free: 3
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 7

Article: West Hartford

Date: Sunday November 7, 2010

This short article told that Hila Elroy, advisor to the Consul General of Israel in New York, would be speaking about the Middle East in West Hartford on November 14.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 1
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Voices Of Conscience, Hope In Israel, Palestine, Golan Heights

Date: Sunday November 7, 2010

This "article" was apparently a press release, "Submitted by Rhonda Mitchell." It announces the annual Tree of Life Conference organized by the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme.

Inaccuracies: The first line states the annual conference would be held Wednesday, November 10 at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme. The conference was held there on Sunday, November 7. There was a shortened version held on the evening of November 10 at the Asylum Hill Congregational Church in Hartford.

Misleading. Omission: The article states "This is a unique opportunity to hear three indigenous voices from Israel, Palestine, and the Golan Heights, from three religious traditions: Christian, Jewish and Druze," making it appear attendees will be hearing a variety of perspectives. It omits any indication that all the "voices," including the Jewish "voices," are vociferously anti-Israel.

Misleading. Inaccuracies: The article refers to the death of George Saadeh's daughter during the conflict and says "Despite their unspeakable loss, George and his family exemplify extraordinary faith and dignity." Saadeh was not at the conference. He was presented through a video and his anti-Israel message did not appear to "exemplify extraordinary faith and dignity."

Misleading. Distortion. Omission: The press release says "Sahar Vardi typifies the spirit of the 'The New Generation of Peacemakers,'" but her message was one of purely anti-Israel hate. It also refers to "East Jerusalem" as if such a place existed, and refers to Arabs being "evicted" from their homes "to make room for Israeli settlements." It omits the facts that Arabs are evicted only when they don't have the right to be where they were living as squatters and that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and contains no "settlements."

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 7
Bias-Free: 0
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 8

Article: GOP prepares to take aim at foreign policy

Date: Thursday, October 28, 2010

This article, by Paul Richter <prichter@tribune.com> and Christi Parsons is primarily a general analysis, mentioning Israel only in the last two paragraphs:

"Obama's efforts on Mideast peace could face new challenges after the election if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu perceives the president as weakened and decides to push back harder against Obama's pressure on him to compromise.

"Netanyahu 'will probably think he's in a stronger position,' said Robert Danin, a Mideast specialist and former State Department official."

Bias. Opinion: These references reflect an opinion that it is Israel which stands in the way of progress towards Arab-Israeli peace, ignoring the reality that the Palestinian Arabs have refused to negotiate and have been totally inflexible and unwilling to compromise.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 8
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 2

Article: Catholic bishops seek peace in Middle East

Date: Sunday, October 24, 2010

This article very briefly reported on the end of a synod of Catholic bishops, reporting it said "they hoped a two-state solution for peace between Israel and the Palestinians could be made a reality"

Bias. Misleading. Omission: The article concluded by saying "U.S.-brokered peace talks have stalled since Israel rejected appeals to extend a temporary moratorium on settlement construction in the occupied West Bank, which expired last month" without pointing out they stalled because the Arabs walked out.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 8
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 2

Article: New push to release convicted Israeli spy

Date: Sunday, October 24, 2010

This article by Vita Bekker reported on efforts to secure the release of Jonathan Pollard.

Opinion: The author inserted the opinion that "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may not wish to push an issue that could stir diplomatic tensions."

Opinion: The writer characterized a member of the Israeli Knesset as "right-wing."

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 9
Pro-Israel: 1
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Gaza convoy to set sail

Date: Sunday, October 17, 2010

This short article reported on a convoy trying to break the Israeli blockade in place to minimize the arms flow to terrorists in Gaza.

Opinion. Bias. Inaccuracies: The article referred to the convoy using the adjective "humanitarian." Even organizers of previous convoys have admitted they were not humanitarian efforts.

Omission. Misleading: The article omitted noting there was no need for any humanitarian assistance, leaving the false impression the purpose of the convoy was to deliver humanitarian aid.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 9
Bias-Free: 7
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 3

Article: Israel OKs new homes, endangering peace talks

Date: Saturday, October 16, 2010

This article by Edmund Sanders <edsanders@tribune.com> reports on Israel building homes in its capital. It was more analysis than article, but was not labeled as analysis.

Bias. Opinion: The very title of this article expresses an opinion and the decision to publish an article about routine construction in Israel's capital shows bias.

Bias: The first word of the article is "Defying," starting the article on an inflammatory note.

Opinion: The writer expressed an opinion about pressures the Israeli prime minister was supposedly caught between. He also categorized a party in the Israeli cabinet as "conservative."

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 8
Bias-Free: 6
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 3

Article: Israeli Cabinet OKs immigrant loyalty oath

Date: Monday, October 11, 2010

This short article reported on what its title implies.

Opinion: It referred to Israel's Labor Party as being "left-of-center" and the Likud party as being "right-wing."

Omission: It omitted any context.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 8
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 1

Article: A plea for peace from Israeli writer

Date: Monday, October 11, 2010

This one-paragraph article reported on David Grossman winning an (unnamed) peace prize from some (unnamed) German "book trade."

Bias: It included the single quote ""I wish that my country Israel will find the strength to rewrite its history again," which implies the lack of peace is the fault of Israel.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 8
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 1

Article: Dwindling demographics

Date: Sunday, October 10, 2010

This article reported on demographics of the Christian community in the Middle East. It included demographics in Israel and in the "Palestinian territories."

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Vatican out to shore up Christianity in Mideast

Date: Sunday, October 10, 2010

This article reported on the opening of a synod of Catholic Bishops to "discuss problems for the faithful ranging from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and strife in Iraq to radical Islamism, economic problems and the divisions among the region's many Christian churches."

The only reference to Israel was in the quote above.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Palestinians to U.S.: Rein in Israel or we pull out

Date: Sunday, October 10, 2010

This article by Lamine Ghanmi reported on the Palestinian Arabs, backed by the Arab League, saying "they would give the United States one month to persuade Israel to halt the building of settlements in the West Bank or risk the collapse of peace talks."

Opinion: The writer inserted the opinion that this represented a reprieve for the United States.

Opinion. Bias. Distortion. Omission. Inaccuracies/b>: The writer expressed the opinion that the talks "stalled over Israel's refusal to extend a settlement freeze on occupied land where Palestinians seek statehood." They stalled because the Arabs walked out. The land in question is not "occupied," but simply disputed.

Lack of Balance: The article repeats Arab positions and quotes Arab spokespersons with any balancing expression of Israeli positions other than a single sentence near the end and doesn't quote any Israeli spokespersons. The last sentence reads: "Israeli officials declined to comment on the Arab League meeting" without any explanation of the fact that the Arab League meeting was held on the Jewish Sabbath, during which no Israeli officials would be able to comment.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 8
Bias-Free: 5
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 5

Letter: Beating The War Drum Again

Date: Saturday, October 9, 2010

This letter by James Barrett (falsely) accuses Senator Joseph Lieberman of wanting to "again sacrifice more American lives in the Mideast." Its only reference to Israel comes in the pair of questions "Has Iran invaded any other country in the last 50 years? Can the same be said for the U.S. and Israel?"

We refer below only to the portion relating directly to Israel.

Omission. Misleading: The writer omits the fact that Israel has only invaded other countries after being attacked from those countries.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 5
Bias-Free: 0
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 10

Article: U.S., Israel Ink Deal For F-35s

Date: Saturday, October 9, 2010

This article by Eric Gershon <egershon@courant.com> reported on an agreement by Israel to buy 20 American jets for $2.75 billion.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Abbas to speak before Arab League on talks

Date: Friday, October 8, 2010

This short article reported on "Arab League foreign ministers meet in Libya on Friday to hear Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' case for suspending peace talks with Israel until it extends a moratorium on construction of settlements in the West Bank."

Bias. Lack of Balance: The article reported only the Arab position and quoted an Arab spokesman saying Abbas would say "resuming negotiations requires a full freeze of settlement activities" without giving any balancing Israel position or any quotes of Israeli spokespersons.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 7
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 3

Article: Syria: Talks with Israel up in air

Date: Thursday, October 7, 2010

This short article reported on Syrian President Bashar Assad's "assessment" of efforts by the United States and France to relaunch indirect talks between Syria and Israel.

Lack of Balance: It gave only Assad's opinion with no balancing opinions by any Israeli leaders.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Analysis: Too much, too fast for peace? Critics question U.S. enticements in Mideast talks

Date: Thursday, October 7, 2010

Misleading: Although this read like an analysis, it was not labeled an analysis. There was little fact in a substantial article that consisted mostly of the author stating what appeared to be his own opinion and quoting and reporting on others stating their opinions.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 8
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Palestinians threaten to quit peace talks

Date: Sunday, October 3, 2010

This article reported: "Palestinian leaders said Saturday that they had lost hope in U.S. efforts to find a solution to the settlement construction standoff and repeated their threat to quit direct negotiations unless Israel agrees to halt building in the West Bank."

Absence of Rebuttal. Lack of Balance: The article repeated Arab assertions blaming Israel for their own threat to walk out on negotiations and quoted an Arab spokesman, Nabil Abu Rdeneh, claiming American efforts to find a formula to keep the Arabs from walking out "failed because Israel would not respond" without any reference to the Israeli position or any balancing quote from any Israeli source.

Effectively, the article simply repeated Arab propaganda.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 5
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 7

Article: New rules, tough times for Gaza's smugglers

Date: Sunday, October 3, 2010

This article reported on many of the smuggling tunnels between Egypt and the Gaza Strip being closed after Israel eased its restrictions on the transfer of goods between Israel and Gaza.

Omission: It referred to Gaza without any indication that Hamas is a terror group.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 9
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Syrian president visits Iran

Date: Sunday, October 3, 2010

This article reported on a visit by Syrian President Bashar Assad to Iran. It involved Israel only by implication.

Omission. Inaccuracies: It referred to Hezbollah as a "militia" and Hamas as a "militant group" without any reference to the fact both are primarily terrorist groups.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 9
Bias-Free: 9
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: CNN anchor out after remarks about Jews

Date: Saturday, October 2, 2010

This short article reported on Rick Sanchez leaving his job as a CNN anchor after making "controversial comments about Jews."

Omission: The article omitted context. It also omitted any reference to his comments being referred to as being anti-semitic.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Iranian's speech sparks walkout

Date: Friday, September 24, 2010

This short article reported on representatives of the United States and other nations walking out during a speech by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 1
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Arabs urged to provide aid

Date: Friday, September 24, 2010

This article reported on President Barack Obama's speech to the United Nations General Assembly.

Opinion: The writer expressed the opinion that the United States was dismayed by several Arab states being behind on promised financial aid to the Palestinian Authority.

Omission. Misleading: The article referred to Hamas simply as "the Palestinian group that controls the Gaza Strip and is a rival to Fatah" without any reference to the fact that it is a terror group.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 9
Bias-Free: 9
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: U.N. panel condemns raid on aid flotilla

Date: Thursday, September 23, 2010

This article consisted of three sentences:

A raid by Israeli commandos on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in May was unlawful and resulted in violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, a panel of international experts said Wednesday.

The three experts, nominated by the United Nations Human Rights Council to investigate the Israeli raid in which nine pro-Palestinian activists were killed, also said Israel's blockade of Gaza caused a humanitarian crisis and was unlawful. The panel also said Israel has a right to security.

Bias. Omission. Lack of Balance: Omitted was any reference to the questionable record of the infamous Human Rights Council and the clear bias of the members of the so-called "experts." Nor were the inaccuracies in the report of the panel noted. including the fact that there is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Omitted was the fact that the so-called activists were armed and attacked the Israeli commandos.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 6
Bias-Free: 0
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 10

Article: Shooting death sparks clashes in east Jerusalem

Date: Thursday, September 23, 2010

This is an article by Edmund Sanders <edsanders@tribune.com> about Arabs rioting in Jerusalem after a security guard shot an Arab during what was described in the article as an "altercation."

Misleading: The article omitted the fact that the security guard shot the Arab in self-defense while being pelted by stones by a mob until near the end of the article.

Lack of Balance: The article quoted unnamed Arab leaders accusing the Israeli government of provoking the violence, allegedly to "deflect attention from the current impasse in peace talks," without any balancing Israeli explanation.

Bias. Lack of Balance: The writer asserted peace talks could collapse "Israel ends a partial moratorium on construction in the West Bank and parts of east Jerusalem," and again quoted an Arab spokesperson without any balancing statements by Israelis.

Inaccuracy. Bias. Opinion: The writer expressed the opinion "Palestinians want a three-month extension of the current freeze to enable time for both sides to negotiate final borders between Israel and a future Palestinian state." The Arabs have repeated demanded a permanent freeze.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 7
Bias-Free: 5
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 5

Article: Obama: Attack on Iran not 'ideal' nuke solution

Date: Tuesday, September 21, 2010

This article reported on President Barack Obama saying Iran having a nuclear weapons would be a "real problem," but saying military action would not an ideal solution.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Israeli, Palestinian leaders meet in NYC

This short article reported Israeli President Shimon Peres met with Palestinian Authority Chair Mahmoud Abbas on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York.

Opinion: The writer inserted the opinion that "the latest round of Middle East peace talks ended without visible signs of progress on bridging an impasse over Israeli settlements.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Iranian leader criticizes Mideast peace talks

Date: Sunday, September 19, 2010

This was a short article reporting on Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad, saying negotiations would fail unless "true representatives of the Palestinian people" participated and "The Islamic republic believes that the only way to resolve the Palestine problem is through the people's vote."

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: U.S. diplomat tries to get skeptical Syria on board

Date: Friday, September 17, 2010

This was a short article, by Sarah Birke and Borzou Daragahi, reporting on George Mitchell traveling to Damascus trying to get the Syrians to support the talks between Israel and the Palestinian Arabs.

Opinion: The writers inserted their opinions that "Syria is thought to be skeptical about the talks," that "Syrian officials do not believe Israel's leadership would be willing to return the Golan Heights" and that Syrian officials "doubt an Israeli-Palestinian peace would last without the approval of Hamas." It omitted any reference to the fact that Israel has in the past offered to give the Golan Heights to Syria in exchange for peace, but Syria refused.

Lack of Balance: The article presented what it purported were Syrian beliefs and also quoted a Syrian official without presenting either opinions or quotes from Israelis.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 9
Bias-Free: 7
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 2

Article: Abbas' comments buoy talks

Date: Friday, September 17, 2010

This article by Edmund Sanders, which included a considerable amount of opinion, quotes Palestinian Authority chair Mahmoud Abbas saying "We all know that there is no alternative to peace other than negotiations. Therefore, there is no choice for us but to continue in these efforts."

Most of the article analyzes the meaning of Abbas' statement.

Omission: There was not reference to Abbas' contradictory statements leaving open the option of renewed terrorism if he didn't get his way without it - as if the Palestinian Arabs had ever abandoned terror.

Opinion: In the first paragraph, the writer inserts his opinion that Abbas' statement "offered new hope that negotiations will not break down as a result of a standoff over Jewish settlements in the West Bank." In the third paragraph, the writer inserted his opinion that his comments "marked a change in tone."

Lack of Balance: The bulk of the article is written from an Arab perspective. It also reports Secretary of State Hillary Clinton saying "it would be 'extremely useful' for Israel to extend the partial freeze" without including any contrary observations.

Distortion. Omission. Opinion: The author inserts his opinion that "Abbas has built his career on embracing negotiations as the only route to statehood." He omits any reference to Abbas' years of involvement in terrorism. The article also quotes Robert Malley saying ""He's always thrown his faith into the negotiation process" without pointing out the obvious falsity of that statement, or even mentioning Abbas' refusal to negotiate with Israel for the past two years.

Inaccuracies: The article was accompanied by an annotated map allegedly detailing settlements along with a graph of their population and mislabeled Jews living in certain parts of Jerusalem as "settlers."

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 7
Bias-Free: 5
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 4

Article: Clinton ready for round 2

Date: Tuesday, September 14, 2010

This is a short (three paragraph) article about the peace talks.

Misleading. Bias: The article begins by reporting Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said a "dispute" over the expiration of Israel's temporary moratorium on Jewish (but not Arab) construction in the disputed territories threatens the direct talks. There is no dispute threatening talks; there is the reality of the Palestinian Arabs creating a phony issue and using it to threaten to walk out of talks they have been avoiding.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 8
Bias-Free: 8
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 2

Analysis: Israel's tough talker starts employing a softer tone

Date: Tuesday, September 14, 2010

This is an analysis by Edmund Sanders, supposedly discussing whether Netanyahu is seriously trying to reach peace.

Opinion: The article categorizes Menachem Begin, Yithak Rabin, Ariel Sharon and, by implication, Benjamin Netanyahu as "hawkish."

Opinion: "Until recently, few Israelis held much hope for the talks."

Misleading. Omission: The writer suggested Netanyahu didn't mean his endorsement of a "two-state solution" last year. He omits the fact that Netanyahu effectively did so during his first term as prime minister, although he didn't use the term "Palestinian state" at that time.

This is another case where the writer is clearly biased against Israel but the item itself is effectively relatively neutral.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 8
Bias-Free: 5
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Israel: No extension of freeze

Date: Monday, September 13, 2010

This article reported on Netanyahu noting Israel could not extend its temporary moratorium on Israeli (but not Arab) construction in the disputed territories. It also reported on some violence in and from Gaza.

Absence of Rebuttal. Misleading: The article quotes Palestinian Authority negotiator Saeb Erekat saying: "I hope that the Israeli government, given the choice between settlement and peace, will choose peace. They can't have both." It does not balance this absurd assertion with an Israeli quote or even any indication about its absurdity.

Lack of Balance. Omission: The article spent two paragraphs detailing three Arabs in Gaza killed and three others injured by Israeli shelling, following this with a curt reference to rockets being fired from Gaza and emphasizing that no one was hurt, omitting the fact that other recent terror attacks killed at least four Israelis and, as usually, carefully avoiding the use of the term "terror."

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 9
Bias-Free: 7
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 2

Article: President talks Mexico, Mideast

Date: Saturday, September 11, 2010

This article reported on a news conference given by President Obama.

Bias: Statements that restricting building for Jews in parts of Eretz Yisrael is a good thing are inherently biased against Israel.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 8
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 2

Analysis: Talks ratchet up tension in Hebron

Date: Sunday, September 5, 2010

This appears to be an analysis by Edmund Sanders.

False Equivalence: "Netanyahu raised the issue of the attacks on Israelis in the West Bank last week. Abbas called on Israel to end all settlement activity." Terror attacks are a real, serious issue. The Arab demand that Israel halt construction in the disputed territories, even while massive Arab building continues, is a phony issue.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 7
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 2

Article: Arab states: Israeli nukes need UN eyes

Date: Saturday, September 4, 2010

This article reports on Arab efforts against the assumed Israeli nuclear program.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Palestinian forces feel heat to end violence

Date: Saturday, September 4, 2010

This is another hybrid, somewhere between a news story and analysis. It reports on some of the recent terror attacks against Israeli civilians - as usual, with a careful avoidance of any reference to the word terror - and apparently tries to analyze its connection to and effect on negotiations. It is another example where the bias of the writer is apparently anti-Israel but the content of the article makes it pro-Israel anyway.

Opinion: The writer asserts the attacks represent a challenge to the Palestinian Authority security forces.

Opinion: "An uptick in violence is the last thing the Palestinian Authority wanted to see."

Opinion: "the pressure is on the Palestinian Authority to show it can contain the violence quickly."

Omission: The article refers to Palestinian Authority forces making hundreds of arrests, but omits mentioning their history of quickly releasing those it arrests.

Lack of Balance: The article quotes three different representatives of the Palestinian Authority but does not quote anyone giving an Israeli perspective.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 8
Pro-Israel: 1
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Security tight for rallies

Date: Friday, September 3, 2010

This is a short article on security plans for rallies in Iran. It is relevant to the Arab-Israeli conflict because the rallies are for Quds Day. The content would likely simply reinforce the biases on anyone on either side.

Bias: There is a reference to "the Palestinian struggle against Israel" whose context might make it appear as if it were justified.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 9
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Developments

Date: Friday, September 3, 2010

This was a very short (three sentence) listing of three developments relating to the talks. The pro-Israel rating comes from inclusion of the report of proposed terrorist actions by Arab groups, although as usual the term "terror" was carefully avoided, with the euphemism "militant" used as a substitute, leading to the irony that the bias of the writers was clearly anti-Israel but the content forced it to be pro-Israel anyway.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 7
Pro-Israel: 2
Anti-Israel: 0

Analysis: Peace talks take small step

Date: Friday, September 3, 2010

This was somewhat difficult to classify. Much of it read as if it were a news report, but it contained a large amount of analysis so we labeled it as an analysis.

Opinion. Misleading: " … they adjourned without progress on Israeli housing construction in disputed areas, an issue that threatens to quickly undermine the negotiations." Israeli construction isn't the issue that threatens to undermine the negotiations; the issue is the Arab trying to make an issue of it.

Most of the article dealt with this non-issue.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 9
Bias-Free: 3
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 5

Article: Deaths fuel Palestinian infighting

Date: Tuesday, September 2, 2010

This article reported on a terror attack on Israeli civilians near Ramallah, although as usual the term "terror" was carefully avoided.

Opinion: "The Palestinian infighting was a reminder that even if Israelis and Palestinians come to terms in U.S.-sponsored peace talks, deep divisions remain within the Palestinian movement."

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 2
Anti-Israel: 0

Analysis: Optimistic tone set for peace talks

Date: Tuesday, September 2, 2010

This is an analysis by Paul Richter and Christi Parsons

Omission. Misleading: "One reason [for optimism] is that Palestinian violence now is at a lower level than it often has been." Omitted was any reference to a flurry of rocket and mortar attacks from Gaza as the talks were starting.

Opinion. Misleading: "The leadership [of the Palestinian Authority] is considered relatively moderate and is well-regarded by the West."

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 9
Bias-Free: 8
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 1

Article: Obama rolls dice on Mideast talks

Date: Tuesday, August 31, 2010

This is an analysis by Christi Parsos and Paul Richter.

Misleading: "Obama personally helped coax Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to come to Washington to meet with him Wednesday and resume talks the next day." This falsely implies Netanyahu needed to be coaxed, despite the fact that Netanyahu has been virtually begging to talk but Abba has been adamantly refusing.

Lack of Balance: The article very early quotes PLO ambassador Maen Rashid Areikat implying the talks will fail unless America pressures Israel, and describes Ziad Asali, president of the American Task Force on Palestine, saying harsh rhetoric makes the talks more difficult, implying harsh rhetoric by Israel is a problem. Only near the end is there any balancing quote by anyone on the Israeli side.

Bias. Inaccuracies. Misleading: The article falsely states "The most immediate threat to the talks is the scheduled Sept. 26 expiration of Israel's partial moratorium on construction in the West Bank, occupied by Israel in 1967." The threat is not the end of Israel's moratorium, but the Arab threat to walk out of the talks at the end of the moratorium. Also, since the territory had no sovereign at the time Israel captured it in 1967, that territory is not "occupied" but "disputed."

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 8
Bias-Free: 5
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 3

Article: Captive soldier remembered on 24th birthday

Date: Sunday, August 29, 2010

This is a one paragraph article reporting on a demonstration marking the 24th birthday of Gilad Schalit.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 2
Anti-Israel: 0

Commentary: ISRAELI, PALESTINIAN TALKS LOOK BLEAK

Date: Monday, August 23, 2010

This is a commentary by George Will expressing skepticism about the prospects for success in the talks between Israel and the Palestinian Arabs.

Opinion: The writer asserts "binationalism is impossible if Israel is to be a Jewish state for the Jewish people."

Opinion: The writer asserts rhetoric about a "two-state solution" is delusion given recent experiences.

Lack of Balance: The writer presents a pro-Israel position.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 0
Pro-Israel: 10
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Netanyahu: Palestinians must guarantee security

Date: Monday, August 23, 2010

This short article reports on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying: "What we are talking about is a peace agreement between Israel and a demilitarized Palestinian state. … Security, recognizing Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people and ending the conflict are the three first layers that would guarantee a true peace agreement … that could last for generations."

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 1
Anti-Israel: 0

Analysis: Some see only futility in new Mideast talks

Date: Sunday, August 22, 2010

This was an analyss by Edmund Sanders. The beginning is fairly sober and balanced, but the bulk of the analysis is unbalanced and puts the onus for progress on Israel while ignoring the core problems of Arab intransigence.

Bias. Lack of Balance: The article describes Israeli opposition MK Meir Sheetrit as doubting "Netanyahu was willing to make the concessions, such as dismantling West Bank settlements, that leaders of the Palestinians' Fatah faction, dominant in the West Bank, say are necessary for them to consider a deal." It ignores any possibility that the Arab rhetoric is just that or may be unreasonable.

Opinion. Inaccuracies. Omission: "Abbas has bet his career on renouncing violence and pursuing peace talks with Israel." The article omits mentioning that Abbas has adamantly refused to engage in peace talks with Israel for two years, a fact which contradicts the writer's assertion.

Omission: "Failed peace talks during the Clinton administration in 2000 helped trigger the second Palestinian intifada, or uprising." The writer fails to mention the talks failed because the Arabs refused an amazingly far-reaching and generous proposal.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 9
Bias-Free: 6
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 2

Sidebar: Behind the scenes

Date: Saturday, August 21, 2010

This very short sidebar contained two questions ("why now?" and "any other leaders invited?") and answers relating to the article "Mideast peace talks back on.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Mideast peace talks back on

Date: Saturday, August 21, 2010

This seemed to be part article, part analysis, so it was difficult to decide whether the opinions included were appropriate or not. It largely reported on the announcement of the resumption of direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, but also included a substantial amount of commentary. With three authors, David S. Cloud, Christi Parsons and Edmund Sanders, one cannot tell who was responsible for each opinion.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 8
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: New peace talks proposed

Date: Friday, August 20, 2010

This article reported on plans to invite Israeli and Palestinian Arab leaders to Washingto to begin direct talks.

Opinion: The writer said "acceptance [of the invitation] was expected.

Opinion: The writer opined "The resumption of face-to-face meetings would be a measure of political success for Obama."

Opinion. Lack of Balance. Bias. Omission: From the article: "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he is willing to make sacrifices for peace, but the hard-liners in his government have been reluctant to give ground to the Palestinians. As for Abbas, it's not clear how decisive a commitment he could make on behalf of the Palestinians from his office in Ramallah. His rivals in the militant group Hamas control the Gaza Strip, home to more than 1.5 million Palestinians."

On the one hand, the writer refers to "hard-liners" in the Israeli government; the supposed balance refers to something outside Abbas' control, but makes no reference to the intransigence of Abbas or the lack of any concessions made by the Palestinian Arabs during the 19 years of the Oslo Process.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 8
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 1

Article: Hezbollah offers dossier in assassination probe

Date: Wednesday, August 18, 2010

This article reported on Hezbollah submitting a dossier alleging Israel had a role in the 2005 murder of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri.

Bias. Omission: The article omitted any reference to the evidence of Syria complicity or the absurdity of Israeli involvement.

It is given a fairly low anti-Israel rating only because the accusations reported are so absurd nobody will take them seriously.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 3
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 2

Article: Israeli soldier criticized for Facebook photos

Date: Tuesday, August 17, 2010

This short article reports on a discharged Israeli soldier being "condemned by Israeli and Palestinian authorities Monday for post ing pictures of herself on Facebook posing next to bound and blindfolded Palestinians."

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 1

Commentary: ISRAEL'S SELF-DEFENSE CAPABILITY UNDER ATTACK

Monday, August 16, 2010

This is a commentary by George Will discussing the campaign to delegitimize Israel and undermine its ability to defend itself.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 5
Pro-Israel: 10
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Al-Qaida to Turkey: Cut ties with Israel

Date: Monday, August 16, 2010

This article reported on an Internet message from Al-Qaida to Turkey.

Bias. Inaccuracies: The article refers to the audio recording coming "in the wake of the deadly Israeli raid against a Turkish aid flotilla that was headed to Gaza in May." It omits the fact that it wasn't really a raid, but an attempt to enforce the arms blockade aimed at the Hamas terror group and became deadly only after the Israelis were attacked in a planned operation, instead making it appear the Israelis were responsible for the violence.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 8
Bias-Free: 7
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 2

Analysis: Direct peace talks may begin soon

Date: Sunday, August 15, 2010

This was an article by Paul Richter about the likelihood that there would be a resumption of direct talks between the Palestinian Authority and Israel.

Lack of Balance: There is a contrast between "Though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he is ready to make "painful sacrifices" for peace, his government and the Knesset may be among Israel's most conservative ever" and "Abbas' ability to deliver on an agreement is in question: The Hamas militant group, not his government, controls the 1.5 mil lion Palestinians who live in the Gaza Strip," giving Abbas a free pass by attributing difficulties on his end to factors beyond his control while not mentioning his unwillingness to make any concessions.

Omission. Lack of Balance: The writer made the one-sided observation "Abbas fears that unless there is prior agreement on a basic agenda for talks, based on the results of past negotiations, the Israelis could make unrealistic demands, then blame him for a breakdown," giving it unwarranted validity and omitting any reference to either the many unrealistic demands of the Palestinian Arabs, such as unlimited immigration into Israel of millions of hostile Palestinian Arabs and the division of Israel's capital.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 8
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 1

Article: Israeli Official Says Forces Had No Choice But To Fire

Date: Thursday, August 12, 2010

This is an article about Israel's internal probe of the incident with the Gaza flotilla.

Opinion. Misleading. Omission: The writer referred to the testimony of Israeli Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi as being "the most cohesive, vivid and sequential account of the Israeli storming of a ship carrying aid to Gaza on May 31." This is both an opinion and misleads by omitting the admission of the organizers of the flotilla that the purpose was not to provide aid but to block the Israeli blockade [of arms deliveries to Gaza].

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 9
Bias-Free: 9
Pro-Israel: 2
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Obama Seeks To Sell 80-Plus Jets To Saudi Arabia

Date: Tuesday, August 10, 2010

This is an article about a potential $30 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia. It refers to "Israel and its allies in Congress" questioning "U.S. plans to provide further arms to the Saudis." This is the only reference to Israel.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Commentary: Obama Sees Growing U.S. Leverage On Iran

Date: Sunday, August 8, 2010

This is a David Ignatius commentary with just a brief reference to "skeptics in Israel" questioning "whether Iran's nuclear policy is subject to a cost-benefit analysis."

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 5
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Gaza fuel flap

Sunday, August 8, 2010

This was a very short article about a disagreement between Fatah and Hamas which disrupted electricity production in Gaza.

Israel is mentioned as supplying most of Gaza's power and supplying fuel for the generators in Gaza.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 1
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Iranian president goes after U.S. - again

Date: Sunday, August 8, 2010

This was a very short (three sentence long) article which referred to Ahmadinejad being anti-American, anti-Israel and a Holocaust denier.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 1
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: U.N. will investigate Israeli raid on aid ship

Date: Tuesday, August 3, 2010

This was a mostly factual report a planned United Nations investigation of the Gaza flotilla incident.

Bias. Inaccuracies. Omission: The title and content misleadingly referred to an Israeli "raid" and referred to it as being "deadly," without mentioning Israel was merely trying to divert the ship to Ashdod to offload the cargo for transfer to Gaza, with the incident becoming violent only because the armed mercenaries on the ship attacked the Israelis.

Omission: The article omitted any mention of the other United Nations investigation, by the highly biased Human Rights Council.

Omission. Inaccuracies: The article incorrectly referred to the ship as an "aid ship," despite the admission by the organizers of the flotilla that it wasn't sent to provide aid but was sent to break the Israeli blockade [on arms being transferred to Gaza].

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 9
Bias-Free: 9
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 3

Article: Hamas leader is killed

Date: Sunday, August 1, 2010

This article factually reported on an Israeli airstrike killing a Hamas terrorist, although typically it avoided the use of any term with the root "terror."

Lack of Balance: The article stated in a straightforward manner that Israel killed Issa Batran and struck at smuggling tunnels and a Hamas training camp, stated "The Israeli military said it launched airstrikes against Hamas targets in Gaza after a rocket fired from Gaza exploded in the city of Ashkelon," implying a measure of doubt as to whether there really was a rocket fired and as to the reliability of the words of the Israeli military.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 8
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Gaza rocket hits city; Israeli airstrikes follow

Date: Saturday, July 31, 2010

This article is a factual report on a rocket attack on Ashkelon, followed by an Israeli strike at a terrorist training camp.

Omission: As usual, the article omitted any use of the terms "terror" or "terrorist" when referring to the terror attack.

Misleading. Omission: The article referred to Ashkelon as being "the Israeli city closest to the Gaza Strip." It omitted any reference to Sderot, which some also consider a city, which is closer and has been far from calm.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 9
Bias-Free: 9
Pro-Israel: 2
Anti-Israel: 0

Commentary: Rattled, Iran Stirs the Mideast Pot

Date: July 30, 2010

This is a commentary written by Charles Krauthammer about the Iranian nuclear program. It analyzes the calculations of the Iranian regime. It is only secondarily related to Israel, because of the threat Iran poses.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 8
Pro-Israel: 5
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Britain's Cameron calls Gaza 'a prison camp'

Date: July 28, 2010

This article describes British Prime Minister David Cameron calling Gaza a "prison camp." The article apparently accurately reports statements made by Cameron, Israeli ambassador to Britain Ron Prosor, residents of Gaza and Israel.

Bias, Lack of Balance: The first three and a half paragraphs are devoted to presenting the statements by Cameron and residents of Gaza, with only the last two sentences presenting Israel's response.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 3
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 8

Article: U.N.: Lebanon force is active

Date: July 20, 2010

This article reported on a spokesperson for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon saying "UNIFIL had found no evidence of weapons smuggling to the south since the 2006 war."

Omission. Misleading: This was a shoddy piece of reporting. The Israeli government has released photographic evidence proving there are massive amounts of weapons, including missiles, in that area. The article omits any reference, creating the blatantly false impression that the statements from the United Nations spokesperson are accurate.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 5
Bias-Free: 0
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 7

Article: Egypt hosts unusual indirect Mideast talks

Date: July 19, 2010

This article reports on Egypt meeting separately with Palestinian Arab and Israeli leaders and United States envoy George Mitchell.

Omission: It referred to direct talks between the Palestinian Arabs and Israel as "still seemingly distant," but did not even hint at the reason: the refusal of the Palestinian Arabs to negotiate.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 8
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 2

Article: Abbas sets talks requirement

Date: July 18, 2010

This article reports on Palestinian Authority chair Mahmoud Abbas saying "Israel must agree to the idea of a third party guarding the borders of a future Palestinian state before direct peace talks can start" and "Israel must also agree in principle to a fair land swap that would compensate the Palestinians for West Bank land absorbed by Jewish settlements in any peace deal." (This are quotes from the article but not directly of Abbas.)

Lack of Balance: It accurately reports the Arab demands, but gives balancing space to any Israeli positions other than to say Israel has rejected the Arab demand for what it calls "East Jerusalem" to be its capital.

Opinion. Bias. Omission: "After years of fruitless negotiations with Israel, Abbas has been wary of sitting down with an Israeli leader he doubts is ready to make the Palestinians an accept able offer."

This omits reference to offers Israel has made which the Arabs have rejected. It gives no indication of the primary reason negotiations have been fruitless: the unwillingness of the Arabs to make any concessions.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 8
Bias-Free: 3
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 7

Article: From West Hartford To The West Bank

Date: July 18, 2010

This was a feature on University of Hartford professor Don Ellis teaching a summer course at Ariel University.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Libyan-chartered ship to Gaza docks in Egypt

Date: July 15, 2010

This was a short article about a Libyan-chartered boat supposedly carrying "aid" for Palestinian Arabs in Gaza reaching El Arish after altering its course following a warning from the Israeli navy.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Letter: Why the Vitriol?

Date: July 13, 2010

This letter, from N. Burki of Farmington, was primarily a nasty attack on columnist Charles Krauthammer, particularly for Krauthammer's criticism of President Barack Obama.

It mentions Israel only in the last paragraph: "All this is puzzling, until one realizes that Mr. Krauthammer hates the president for putting his country first before all others - including Israel, China, Russia and Kazakhstan. And for Mr. Obama to dare to reach out to Muslim countries especially draws Mr. Krauthammer's ire."

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 0
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 5

Article: Israel says it won't allow aid ship to reach Gaza

Date: July 12, 2010

This is a short article reporting on Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman saying "an aid ship sent by a Libyan group" would not be allowed to reach Gaza.

Misleading: The article refers to the ship as an "aid" ship without referring to the fact that it is primarily a propaganda effort.

Omission. Bias: The article refers to this ship coming "just over a month after Israeli commandos killed nine activists in a raid at sea" without mentioning the fact that the "activists" were armed and trained IHH operatives who attacked the Israelis.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 8
Bias-Free: 6
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 4

Article: Israeli soldier charged

Date: July 7, 2010

This was a short, one-paragraph article reporting on Israel indicting one of its soldiers for manslaughter in the death of a Palestinian Arab during the 2008-9 operation "intended to halt the firing of missiles into Israel."

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 0
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 1

Article: U.S.-Israel thaw on display

Date: July 7, 2010

This article reported on and analyzed the meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and United States President Barack Obama.

Misleading: The article reported "In a weekend Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu publicly set direct talks with the Palestinians as a top priority of his upcoming conversation with Obama." This creates the false impression that such talks had not been a top priority.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 9
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Palestinians call for halt to army raids

This article reported on a demand by Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad that Israel halt its operations against terrorism in Palestinian Authority towns in the disputed territories.

It also reported on Turkey's foreign minister asserting that country would cut ties with Israel unless Israel apologized for its interception of the "Free Gaza" flotilla or accept an international inquiry into what the article labelled "its deadly raid."

Bias. Imagery. Misleading: The language described above presents an image of a deliberate deadly attack by Israel rather than the reality of the attack on Israel by the armed and trained fighters on the flotilla.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 7
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 5

Article: Israel still bans many items as blockade opens for food

Date: July 6, 2010

This article reported on an Israeli easing of the restrictions designed to prevent weapons from reaching Gaza.

Bias: It explained Israel as defending the restrictions, implying they were not justified.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 8
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Netanyahu: Ready to start peace talks

Date: July 6, 2010

This article concerned a meeting at the White House between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and United States President Barack Obama, scheduled for the following day.

Omission: It speculated "Obama is expected to pressure Netanyahu to extend Israel's 10-month moratorium on new settlement construction in the West Bank, a policy set to expire in September," but omitted mentioning the ten month moratorium was undertaken with the understanding it was a one-time moratorium, would lead to direct talks and would be reciprocated by steps taken by the Arab states.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 9
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Netanyahu: I'd let 1,000 go to free Israeli soldier

Date: July 2, 2010

This article reported on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying during a live address to the nation that he would let 1,000 Arab prisoners free in order to obtain the release of Gilad Shalit, kidnapped by Hamas terrorists four years ago, but there would be limits: dangerous terrorists will not return to the areas of Judea and Samaria (the West Bank) from where they can continue to harm Israel's citizens" and "top terrorists" would not be freed.

Bias: The writer felt compelled to explain Judea and Samaria referred to "the West Bank" but omitted explaining that Judea and Samaria were the historical names for the areas while "West Bank" was a new term introduced to obscure the historical Jewish connection.

Despite the bias, the article was effectively somewhat pro-Israel by otherwise simply reporting on something which inherently displayed how far Israel was willing to compromise and its contrast with the heartlessness of its intransigent enemies.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 9
Pro-Israel: 1
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: King, Obama pledge work on 2-state solution

Date: June 30, 2010

The Courant published a photo of President Barack Obama with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. The caption read: "President Barack Obama poses Tuesday with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. After a private meeting they addressed a news conference, with Obama saying their talk covered a number of strategic issues, including Iran's nuclear program, Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as 'the importance of moving forward in a swift and bold way in securing a Palestinian homeland that can live side by side with a secure and prosperous Israeli state.'"

The caption was simultaneously factual but unbalanced and misleading, suffering from sins of omission.

By omitting key context, including the continued unwillingness of the Saudis to even meet with Israel and its participation in the Arab boycott, the caption furthered the mistaken impression that the meeting was between to leaders whose sole interest, at least regarding the Arab-Israeli conflict and its Palestinian Arab-Israeli component, was peace.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 9
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Israel considers ways to ease Gaza blockade

Date: June 16, 2010


This article reported on what its title implies.

Bias. Lack of Balance: The article quotes an Israeli minister saying "It is time to end the closure in its current form. It does not provide any value to Israel. From a diplomatic stand point it causes great image problems." It is interesting that so many articles which quote anti-Israel statements fair to include any balancing quotes from Israeli spokespersons, but this article manages to include a quote from a high-ranking Israeli that paints Israel in a negative light.

Omission: The article omits any reference to the reasons for the blockade.

Omission. Half-Truth. Misleading: The article accurately reports "United Nations will deliver cargo to Gaza from three ships that tried to run the blockade but were seized May 31," but omits any reference to the fact that Israel earlier tried to transfer the goods to Gaza but Hamas refused to accept them.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 6
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 2

Article: Malloy Facing Lawsuit From Fellow Democrat

Date: June 15, 2010

This article by Christoper Keating, published June 15, 2010, is mostly the same as the article by Keating on the Courant's CapitoWatch blog Former Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy Facing Slander Suit By Democrat Lee Whitnum Over Her Comments.

It reports on Whitnum suing Malloy for allegedly falsely making statements that Whitnum had made statements that were "anti-Israel and anti-Semitic."

Lack of Balance. Misleading: The article repeats allegations made by Whitnum, implicitly giving them some credence, without including any balancing information other than Malloy's pointing out Whitnum didn't like it when he "called her out" regarding statements which he "then viewed - and continue(s) to view - as anti-Semitic."

It also repeats allegations she keeps repeating about AIPAC, without any balancing opinions.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 8
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Israeli panel to probe deadly Gaza flotilla raid

Date: June 15, 2010

This article was a variation of the Sanders article Israelis have mixed feelings about flotilla inquiry published by the Los Angeles Times.

The article reported on the creation by Israel of a panel to investigate the Gaza flotilla incident, but contained significant amounts of opinion and included criticism of unnamed "critics" without including any balancing opinions.

Opinion. Bias: Thea article begins "With a sense of relief and a touch of anxiety, Israelis braced themselves Monday for another high profile probe of their military's conduct."

This injects the writer's interpretation of Israel's mood. The wording "another high profile probe" also creates the impression "high level probes" are routine and involves wrongdoing by the military.

Opinion: The writer also gave his opinion for the reason behind the "hope:" that the inquiry would head off United Nations calls for an international inquiry.

Misleading. Half-Truths. Omissions: The writer refers to those killed merely as "activists," making no reference to the fact they were armed and trained mercenaries who initiated an attack on the Israelis boarding the vessel.

Omission: The writer referred to the infamous Goldstone Commission's conclusion that "Israel committed war crimes" without any reference to the biased nature of the probe, the inclusion among the commission members of people who publicly condemned Israel prior to their appointment, its being conducted under the auspices of the incurably anti-Israel Human Rights Council or the admission by its chair that its conclusions had not been proven in any way that would stand up in a courtroom.

Opinion: The author injected his opinion about the mindset of the Israeli prime minister as he set up the commission.

Opinion: The writer injected his opinion that the "panel will have a narrow mandate."

Omission. Misleading: The writer referred to Hamas as merely an "Islamic militant group," omitting any use of the word "terror."

Unbalanced. Absence of Rebuttal: The writer gave the opinion of critics, saying they "noted that the commission does not have the independence and investigative authority of a so-called national inquiry commission," but did not give any balancing opinions.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 8
Bias-Free: 5
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 5

Letter: Thomas' Words More Than Shameful

Date: June 14, 2010

The Courant published a letter by Harvey Jassem responding to the Courant's June 11 editorial on Helen Thomas' suggestion that Israeli Jews go "home" to the European countries (to which they'd fled from other countries after being kicked out of Eretz Yisrael).

Jassem writes "Thomas' suggestion that Jews leave Jerusalem yet again is both offensive and ignorant." He points out they have demonstrable ties to their land and that land is the land of Israel.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 0
Pro-Israel: 10
Anti-Israel: 0

Editorial: MS. THOMAS' SHAMEFUL EXIT

Date: June 11, 2010

This editorial recognized Thomas "has no one to blame but herself for the ignominious final chapter" (in her long career).


It balanced praise of most of her career with criticism of her anti-Semitic outburst, although it never mentioned anti-Semitism.

Misleading: An inset in the editorial read: "ILL-CHOSEN, UGLY WORDS. Pioneering female journalist, 89, ends career with anti-Israel tirade."

This was not an "anti-Israel tirade;" it was an anti-Semitic tirade. She was telling Jews to get out of their homeland.

Overall, the editorial was balanced, even if one doesn't agree with its take on the incident.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 9
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Fatah disunity forces delay in West Bank vote

Date: June 11, 2010

This is a short Reuters article. It may be found o the Orlando Sentinel web site at epaper.orlandosentinel.com/OS/OS/2010/06/11/ArticleHtmls/11_06_2010_002_037.shtml.

Opinion: The writer called Fatah's inability to agree on a unified election list "a sign of the problems faced by a party that once dominated Palestinian politics but has struggled to maintain its stature since Yasser Arafat's death."

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Gaza blockade eased, scorned

Date: June 10, 2010

This was a short article by Edmund Sanders published June 10, 2010. It consisted of most of the first seven paragraphs of the article available on the Los Angeles Times web site at latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2010/06/israel-opens-border-for-snack-foods-but-gazans-arent-biting.html.


The article reported on Israeli broadening of the list of goods which could be transferred into Gaza. It reported almost completely on the Arab reaction, which just a tiny reference to Israel denying the moves were a reaction to criticism following its interception of the "Free Gaza" flotilla.

Opinion: "Israel's move impressed almost no one in this impoverished seaside territory."

Opinion: The article referred to the flotilla as being an "aid flotilla."

Omission. Misleading: "Nine people, including a U.S. citizen, were killed when activists resisted."

The article fails to mention the nine people were among those who resisted and were paid mercenaries. It also omits the fact that the "U.S. citizen" is one in name only, having left the United States at the age of two and apparently never returning.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 8
Bias-Free: 5
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 3

Article: Summit castigates Israel

Date: June 9, 2010

This article was published by The Courant June 9, 2010. It consists of most of the first three paragraphs of a Reuters article which may be found at www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE65713A20100608. It reported on a meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia.


Omission. Misleading: It referred to all members of the Conference except for Israel condemning Israel's diversion of the "Free Gaza" flotilla, falsely implying the Conference itself condemned Israel. The Conference itself took no action, since it can act only by consensus.

Opinion. Omission. Half-Truth: The article also referred to "nine pro-Palestinian Turkish activists" being killed, but omitted the fact that they were paid mercenaries, making the statement they were pro-Palestinian an opinion rather than statement of fact.

It did name three participants, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Syria's Bashar Assad, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, which at least enabled intelligent readers to infer the composition of the Conference was far from unbiased.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 9
Bias-Free: 5
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 8

Letter: Examine Why Thomas Said It

Date: June 9, 2010

The Courant published a letter on June 9, 2010 from Pat Settembriono on Vernon on the "retirement" of Helen Thomas from Hearst after her anti-Semitic outburst was caught on video.

Inaccuracy: The letter falsely stated the reason for Thomas' outburst was: "the naval blockade of Gaza, the deadly interception of relief boats and Israel's tactics in preventing boats with much-needed aid from reaching an impoverished people."

Her outburst came well before the "Free Gaza" flotilla, which was not a relief boat and wasn't bringing much-needed aid.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 0
Bias-Free: 0
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 10

Letters: Response to Israeli Ship Raid

On June 3, 2010, The Courant published two letters regarding the Israeli raid on the "Free Gaza" flotilla, one anti-Israel letter from Sarasvati Panciera of Granby  and one pro-Israel letter from Jim Tierney of West Hartford.


The anti-Israel letter was more than four times the length of the pro-Israel letter, which also never actually mentioned the incident directly.

The anti-Israel letter was particularly vile in that it used the Holocaust to attack the Jewish state.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 0
Pro-Israel: 5
Anti-Israel: 10

Article: Netanyahu Praises Troops For Flotilla Raid

This article by Edmund Sanders was published June 3, 2010. It is a shorter version of an article on the Chicago Tribune web site at http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/la-fg-israel-raid-20100603,0,3243559.story.


Opinion: The article begins with a value judgement of acts of the Israeli prime minister: "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a vigorous, unapologetic defense Wednesday of his government’s deadly raid of a protest flotilla bound for the Gaza Strip."

Misleading. Half-Truths. Omission: The article refers to Israel killing "nine activists," omitting the fact that they were paid mercenaries.

Opinion. Bias: " &ellips; did little to appease critics who say Israel used excessive force." This gives an opinion about the effect of Netanyahu's words. It is also biased, creating the impression that there is validity to the accusations of Israel's critics.

The article did accurately quote Netanyahu pointing out "This was not a love boat. … It was a boat of hate."

Opinion: "Monday’s early-morning raid has turned into one of the biggest diplomatic challenges Netanyahu has faced since taking office a little over a year ago."

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 7
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 5

Article: Defiant, Israel defends raid

This article, subtitled "Activists offer reports on deadly flotilla takeover," was written by Edmund Sanders and published June 2, 2010. It was published along with a photo of demonstrators waving Palestinian flags in front of the home of the Israeli ambassador in Turkey. It is a shortened version of a longer article available on the Courant's website at http://www.courant.com/news/breaking/la-fg-israel-aftermath-20100602,0,6669896,full.story.


Opinion: The headline itself including the opinion that Israel was "defiant," an opinion which was also given in the first sentence.

Inaccuracy: The writer inaccurately referred to "a humanitarian flotilla bound for the Gaza Strip." Even one of the organizers admitted it was not a humanitarian mission.

Opinion: The writer referred to "Israel's hard-line response."

Opinion. Misleading: The writer opined "The initial firsthand versions had come almost exclusively from the Israeli government." This is misleading because, regardless of where the initial firsthand versions originated, the overwhelming majority of reported versions came from anti-Israel propagandists.

Misleading. Unverified or Unsubstantiated Statements: The article included the statement: "the captain of one of the other ships in the flotilla, Huseyin Tokalak, said Israeli ships opened fire on the Mavi Marmara before boarding that ship, according to Reuters." While this may be an accurate report of what Reuters said that captain said, there was no firing from the Israelis until after the mercenaries on the Mavi Marmara had attacked the Israeli commandos.

Opinion. Misleading: "The Gaza relief flotilla embarked from Turkey." It was not a relief flotilla.

Lack of Balance. Absence of Rebuttal: "Turkey's foreign minister &ellips; compared the Israeli raid to the Sept. 11 attacks." This absurd statement wasn't balanced.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 7
Bias-Free: 5
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 7

Article: Israeli ship raid sparks furor

This article by Edmund Sanders was a shorter version of an article "Israel criticized over raid on Gaza flotilla" available at www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-israel-clash-20100601,0,7304478.story.

Misleading, Omission, Half-Truths: "Israel faced a global diplomatic firestorm Monday over its deadly raid against a protest flotilla carrying humanitarian aid that was attempting to break through an Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip."

This was the start of the article, making it appear as if Israel planned a deadly raid. It omitted the highly relevant fact that the main "weapon" the Israelis brandished were paintball guns and nothing became deadly until the Israelis were attacked. It also omits mentioning that Egypt also controls access to Gaza.

The article also fails to give any Israeli perspective until the third paragraph.

Misleading: The article inaccurately states Israeli commandos "immediately clashed with activists on board" after rappelling onto the ship. Actually, the Israelis were immediately attacked.

Omission: The article never points out that the diversion of five of the six ships in the flotilla was done without any injuries, thus discouraging intelligent people from coming to the obvious inference that the deaths and injuries were part of a deliberate plan by the flotilla organizers.

Lack of Balance: The article reports "U.S. officials expressed regret at the loss of life in the raid but stopped short of criticizing Israel until full details of the incident were released." This implies Israel was deserving of criticism and the activists who incited the violence weren't.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 9
Bias-Free: 5
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 8

Article: Israel strikes in Gaza

This was a wire service story published in The Hartford Courant May 30.

The article reported on Israeli airstrikes on a weapons factory in the Gaza Strip and on a tunnel dug by terrorists near Gaza's border with Israel.

The article was factual, but was subtly biased in at least two ways:

1. It made no mention of the reason for the strikes until near the end of the article, where it noted an Israeli army spokesman explained "the strikes were in response to a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip toward Israel on Thursday."

2. The Hartford Courant did not report on the rocket fire directed at Israel from the Gaza Strip.

Apparently, for The Hartford Courant, Arab terrorists attacking Israel does not constitute news unless Israel acts to defend itself.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 8
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 2

Article: Netanyahu, Obama to meet; Rahm Emanuel extends invitation in person

This was a wire service story published by The Hartford Courant May 27. The article was mostly factual, but did include a small number of (mostly reasonable) opinions and misleading half-truths.

The article mostly concerned an invitation from President Barack Obama to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but near the end also touched on a convoy of ships trying to go from Turkey to Gaza.

Opinion: "President Barack Obama has invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House next week for an apparent fence-mending visit."

While we agree with the opinion about the purpose of the visit, it remains an opinion inserted into a news article.

Omission, Misleading: The article referred to Israel being "ready to prevent a Turkish-led convoy of ships carrying humanitarian aid from entering the blockaded Gaza Strip."

The reference misleads the reader by omitting the fact that there is no need for this so-called "humanitarian aid;" the convoy is really a propaganda ploy.

Omission, Misleading, Half-Truth: The article misleadingly refers to Israel and Egypt closing Gaza's borders after Hamas' bloody takeover in 2007. It omits reference to the European Union monitors fleeing for their lives, in fear of Hamas. It was really the disappearance of the EU monitors that ineffectively sealed Gaza's borders.

Omission: The article omits any reference to the massive amounts of humanitarian aid transferred to Gaza by Israel, clearly obviating any need for other aid and making it clear the convoy was really an exercise in anti-Israel propaganda. It also omits any reference to the massive amounts of goods and people transferred in and out of Gaza through tunnels between Gaza and Egypt, making it clear the borders are far from sealed.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 9
Bias-Free: 8
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 1

Article: Israeli envoy expelled over forged passports

On Tuesday, May 25, the Hartford Courant published this one paragraph long story:

"CANBERRA, Australia - Australia's government said Monday that it had ordered the expulsion of an Israeli diplomat over the use of fake passports in the January assassination of a Hamas militant in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said an investigation had left no doubt that Israeli intelligence services had been behind the forgery of four Australian passports used by suspects in the killing of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh."

While technically accurate, the article suffers from serious errors of omission. The article fails to note there actually is no evidence directly linking Israel to the assassination of Mabhouh, who is euphemistically called a "militant" rather than a terrorist. There is also no mention of the murders of which Mabhouh is guilty.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias Free: 3
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 5

Article: Summer camp attacked

The Hartford Courant published an article entitled "Summer camp attacked" on Monday, May 24. It consisted of the first three paragraphs of a longer Reuters story which may be viewed by clicking here.

The article reported on an attack on an attack by masked gunmen on a United Nations-run summer camp in the Gaza Strip "after militants in the Gaza Strip accused the U.N. of promoting immorality in the religiously conservative enclave controlled by the Islamic militant group Hamas."

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 10
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 2
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: Upbeat note in Mideast talks

The Hartford Courant published an Associated Press article entitled "Upbeat note in Mideast talks" with a subtitle "U.S. praises both sides as they pledge modest steps" on Monday, May 10. A variation is available on Google News.

The article was mostly factual, reporting on what State Department spokesman said about the initial round of proximity talks with Mideast envoy George Mitchell shuttling between Jerusalem and Ramallah.

There were a few instances of opinion inserted in the article, but the opinions did not seem to reflect any bias.

Opinion: The article included the sentence "Resumption of the peace talks amounts to the first achievement here for the Obama administration."

This includes at least two opinions, that the proximity talks amount to an achievement and that there have been not other achievements for the Obama administration regarding the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Inaccuracy, Misleading: The article indicated State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said "Israel committed to no building in a housing project in disputed east Jerusalem."

This is an interesting statement. (Note: It is a quote of the article, but not a quote of the spokesman.)

The language "a housing project" rather than "housing projects" indicates it refers to a specific housing project. Assuming this is what was intended, it is misleading because a careless reader is likely to incorrectly infer Israel has committed to freezing construction throughout Jerusalem.

Most likely, especially given assertions by Israeli government officials not included in this article, it is meant to refer to no building in Ramat Shlomo during the period of the proximity talks, which themselves are supposed to last no longer than four months. (Since the building in Ramat Shlomo is not scheduled for several years, this is a non-issue.) In this case, the reference to "east Jerusalem" is inaccurate, since Ramat Shlomo is in north-central Jerusalem.

If this inference about the statement referring to Ramat Shlomo is incorrect, then the statement is certainly misleading.

Opinion: The article included the assertion "Indirect talks are a step backward after 16 years of face-to-face negotiations."

This is certainly true, but it does represent an opinion. It also contradicts the earlier opinion that the start of the proximity talks represented an achievement.

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 9
Bias-Free: 10
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 0

Article: U.S. envoy starts shuttle mission in Israel, W. Bank

This article in the Hartford Courant comes mostly from a more substantial Associated Press article currently available at www.courant.com/news/nation-world/sns-ap-ml-mideast-talks,0,5638899.story.

It is mostly factual, but does include some opinion and omits some highly relevant information going to the core of the article.

Omission, Inaccuracies: The article inaccurately begins "A U.S. mediator launched Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations Wednesday &hellip"

This is actually contradicted in the fuller version of the article on The Courant's own web site: "The two could not even agree about the technicality of whether the talks had begun. Israel labeled the Mitchell-Netanyahu meeting Wednesday as the beginning of the mediation, while Palestinians insisted they still had to give formal approval to the process over the weekend" and reported State Department spokesman P.J. "Crowley said Mitchell's meeting on Saturday with Abbas would mark the start of the indirect talks."

Opinion, Lack of Balance: In the same first paragraph, the article referred to the start of "a shuttle mission between a hard-line Israeli government and a Palestinian administration in control of only part of its territory."

Calling the Israeli government "hard-line" inserts the opinion of the writer into a news story. It is also not balanced by any similar opinion regarding the Palestinian Authority.

Inaccuracy: The status of the disputed territories is one of the issues to be determined in negotiations. Until there is an agreement, any reference to territory actually belonging to the "Palestinian administration" is factually inaccurate.

Opinion, Omission: The fourth paragraph referred to the positions of the sides being "worlds apart." It also opined Mitchell's mission "would be considered a success" if he got the Israelis and Palestinian Arabs "to sit down at the same table."

The latter is also misleading since, by omitting the fact that the two sides had negotiated face-to-face for years, makes it appear they haven't done so.

Opinion, Lack of Balance: The article lists both Arab and Israeli demands, but inserts the opinion that the Israeli prime minister's acceptance of a Palestinian Arab state was "reluctant," and slanted the article even more by beginning that acknowledgement with the word "while": "While Netanyahu has reluctantly endorsed creation of a Palestinian state."

Ratings

Factual Accuracy: 8
Bias-Free: 5
Pro-Israel: 0
Anti-Israel: 2