In an article meant to stimulate "public [and]...international scrutiny" of the state of Israel's plans to build a series of archaeological parks in and around the Old City in Jerusalem, several positive items about the plans slip through.
The reader cannot read the article without coming away with the following conclusions:
- The purpose of the parks is increase tourism to Jerusalem, which will financially benefit Jews and Arabs alike who live in the city.
- By highlighting ancient Jewish existence in the area, Israel will "strengthen the status of Jerusalem as its capital."
- The archaeological work, which has rendered "indisputable evidence of ancient Jewish life" in and around Jerusalem, is "unassailable."
In addition, Bronner and Kershner make mention that under Jordanian rule from 1949 to 1967, Jerusalem was in much worse condition and Jews and Christians and their respective holy sites did not receive equal treatment under the law. This point is made by those who are skeptical about dividing Jerusalem.
Another promising indicator of honest reporting is how B&K handle Palestinian officials' denial that a Jewish Temple existed atop the Western Wall. "There is no scholarly dispute about whether the temple stood" there, they write - a conclusion that must discomfit these officials.
Of course, the intent of the article - to embarrass Israel - is still manifest. For example, on the front page, where the article begins, B&K highlight "the threatened destruction of unauthorized Palestinian housing in the redevelopment areas," an issue that has been reported on in the last several weeks.
On page 10, however, the reader learns that "new housing" for those same Palestinians is an integral part of the municipality's $100 million plan, mitigating the apparent tragedy from page 1.
Despite their worst intentions, then, B&K render a report that does more to substantiate Israeli actions than to vilify them.
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