Britannia Radio

August 25, 2011

Special Report

NEW REPORT: 'Voices from the Conflict: Israeli and Palestinian Op-eds in The Guardian' The Guardian has consistently published commentary from Palestinians who reject the concept of two states for two peoples, in keeping with an editorial line that questions the legitimacy of Israel as a Jewish state. To read the report in full, click here. London, 25 August 2011 - Since its involvement in the release of the Palestine papers, The Guardian (UK) has maintained an editorial line that goes beyond simply endorsing the end of Israeli occupation and the creation of a Palestinian state. The paper is critical of any recognition of Israel as a Jewish state, specifically because it would hazard 'the right of return' - the admission of millions of Palestinians that would turn Israel into an Arab-majority state. A report published by Just Journalism today shows how this editorial line is reflected by the external commentary it prints. 'Voices from the conflict: Israeli and Palestinian op-eds in The Guardian' is a six-month study of the comment pieces by Israelis and Palestinians that appeared in broadsheet. It is a qualitative and quantitative analysis that documents how The Guardian instinctively promotes the views of those who oppose the very concept of two states for two peoples. Its findings show that The Guardian repeatedly provided a platform to Palestinians who see the Jewish right to self-determination as either irrelevant or unacceptable. While the few Israelis who offered their opinions are associated with a political left that believes Israel must help facilitate an independent Palestinian state, The Guardian gave preference to those on the other side of the conflict who see Israel's very existence as an intolerable intrusion. Characteristic of this was the comment pieces by those affiliated with Hamas, which believes that there can be no resolution until Israel is physically destroyed by force. Just Journalism's Media Analyst Chris Dsyzyński said: 'The Guardian has long been associated with its endorsement of the Palestinian cause, and its criticism of the occupation. However, this new report suggests that the real sticking point for the paper is not the number of settlements in the West Bank, but Israel's very nature as a national home for the Jewish people. While you would expect 'the world's leading liberal voice' to endorse Israeli concessions in the name of a two-state solution - and to promote the views of liberal Israelis who don't believe their government is doing enough for that solution - it seems perverse to overwhelming plump for Palestinians who don't share that view. The decision to repeatedly offer a platform to signed-up Hamas members is the logical, if distasteful, outcome of its preference for those who fundamentally disagree with Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state.' EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Guardian published more op-eds by Palestinians than by Israelis during the first half of 2011, with eleven comment pieces by nine Palestinian contributors in comparison with six by four Israelis Three of the Palestinians who contributed op-eds during this period were either members of Hamas or strongly affiliated with it, and have endorsed terrorist attacks Four further Palestinians were secular nationalists who also reject Israel's legitimacy and endorse policies that would turn it into an Arab majority state All of the Israelis given op-eds are associated with the left-wing of Israeli politics that supports the concessions needed to create a Palestinian state in order to facilitate two states for two peoples The majority of comment pieces by Israeli contributors dealt with the repercussions of the Arab Spring, rather than directly with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict itself. To read the full report, click here>>