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
