Girl Power!

"Olmert Quits Post, and Political Maneuvering Begins," A5, Monday, 9/22/08
By Ethan Bronner

The author writes an informative article on Ehud Olmert's resignation from the Prime Ministership, Tzipi Livni's corresponding takeover as Acting Prime Minister, and her coming challenge of forming a coalition or facing national elections. The article also designates a fair amount of attention to speculating on the position and strategy of Ehud Barak, head of the Labor Party, on whether he will join Livni's coalition or join calls for a national election.

It is interesting that rather than note the commendable possiblity that Livni could become the second Prime Minister since Golda Meir (a notable record for a Western democracy, particularly one located in the Middle East), the author chooses to highlight that Barak's decision to not jump to join the coalition may be based on the fact that "the men who have long ruled Israel, at least since GoldaMeir left office in 1974, are uncomfortable with a woman" ruling as Prime Minister.

In a recent update, the London-based organization Just Journalism perceptively noted that British anti-Israel publications have used Tzipi's victory to emphasize "how long it has been since Israel had a female premier" (since nothing good can really be said about Israel). On the other hand, more balanced publications have "focused on the fact that Livni would be the second female Israel PM." It is truly amazing how anti-Israel animosity in certain media can infect each and every facet of their Israel coverage (Note: I am not implying that the NYT belongs in this category).