Fri. 12 Aug. 2011 @ 10.32 - During online discussion Guardian Middle East editor trivialises ethnic cleansing of Jewish communities from Arab world, fails to connect their experience with fears of minority groups. The Guardian's Middle East editor, Ian Black, recently participated in an online discussion where he answered reader's questions about the Arab Spring. 'The state of the Arab spring: Q&A with Ian Black' contained brief answers on a variety of issues. One of these, submitted by contributor 'zamalek', addresses the issue of minorities in the region - including the experiences of Middle Eastern Jews: 'What future do you see for minorities post-the Arab Spring? 'It is too late to save the Jews who have virtually been 'ethnically cleansed' from Arab lands, but are things going to get better or worse for the Christians, eg Copts?' Fri. 12 Aug. 2011 @ 14.24 - Israeli news source reports alleged details of Hamas operations provided by Palestinian abducted in Ukraine. Israel's abduction of a Palestinian engineer in Ukraine was widely reported in the British media in March and April 2011. All of the broadsheets and the BBC News website covered the abduction of Dirar Abu Sisi, who was accused by Israel of being heavily involved in the production of rockets for Hamas. Media outlets also noted condemnations of the arrest and denials of the allegations against him. Abu Sisi's wife denied he had any involvement with Hamas, while the Palestinian ambassador in Kiev called the arrest 'an international crime that must be punished'. The Israeli news source Ynet has now revealed the first details of Abu Sisi's alleged work for Hamas. 'Top Hamas engineer tells all', based on 'interrogation excerpts' that were 'cleared for publication [...] following Ynet's appeal', includes information on the Islamist group's tactical training, as well as its commitment to improving rocket capabilities. Editorial in Financial Times emphasises how Israel's democratic nature distinguishes demonstrations in Israel from Arab uprisings. An editorial in today's Financial Times contrasts Israel's tent protests with the Arab Spring, but argues that any comparison between the two is 'misleading'. 'Indignant in Israel' debates both the causes of and solutions to Israel's protest movement demanding widespread economic reform and 'social justice'. It is quick to clarify, however, where the demonstrations in Israel and across the Arab world diverge, namely, Israel's democratic nature: 'True, a perception that too many people cannot make ends meet, or even live in outright poverty, motivates Israelis as it did Tunisians and Egyptians in January and February. But Israeli is a democracy; the anciens régimes in Tunis and Cairo were autocracies. Political corruption is not unknown in Israel, but the government is not a kleptocracy. Israelis are not trying to overthrow their state.' Thurs. 11 Aug. 2011 @ 15.18 - Times defence editor examines media role in Libyan war, addressing key issues related to public perceptions of Israel. The Times' defence editor, Deborah Haynes, analyses the role of the 24-hour media cycle in modern day warfare, professing that: 'In a war of information and perception, the truth no longer matters. It is all about the message and in Libya the regime is coming out on top.' In 'Propaganda is putting Gaddafi back in the fight', Haynes notes how images of the conflict in Libya have changed since NATO intervention, specifically citing footage of civilian protesters being shot as a trigger for military action.August 12, 2011 The Wire Guardian Middle East editor downplays systematic persecution of minorities in Arab world
The Wire Abducted engineer provides details of Hamas operations
The Wire Financial Times emphasises differences between Israeli protests and Arab Spring
Fri. 12 Aug. 2011 @ 14.23 -The Wire Times analyses influence of media coverage on Libyan conflict
Saturday, 13 August 2011
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