Palestinian Health Officials

"Israeli Shells Kill 40 at Gaza U.N. School"
A12, Wednesday 1/7/09
By Taghreed El-Khodary and Isabel Kershner

The failure to cite a source for Palestinian fatalities is a problem. In the first paragraph, it appears to be stated as fact. In contrast, Israel “contended” that Hamas fired mortars from the UN school compound where the deaths occurred.

Although this contrast is an early disappointment, there's commendable reporting further in the article when space is given not only to the Israeli military, but a Palestinian witness attesting to militants using the school. Furthermore, readers are informed, through a strong and reasoned statement by Condoleezza Rice, of the need to “prevent arms and explosives from entering Gaza.”

Sloppy reporting on the death toll is the reference to “Palestinian health officials.” The Palestinian health ministry is controlled by Hamas and officials say what Hamas lets them say. All too often with recent Gaza coverage, these “health officials” have been cited without the reference to Hamas. Health officials aren't known for lying.

A passing, but significant reference is made to Gaza’s crowdedness. “The rising civilian death toll in crowded Gaza” gives a false impression that going after rocket launchers and other military targets in the Gaza Strip would inevitably cause civilian deaths. What about militant training camps and several rocket launching sites located in wide open swaths of territory? What about Hamas – and not Gaza’s population density – to blame for the rising civilian death toll?

Later on, a subtle swipe at the utility of Israel’s operation can be sensed with the following:

“Hamas continued to fire rockets, despite the large numbers of Israeli troops.”

The message? Israel's operation is counterproductive. What is perhaps needed to end the rocket fire is not the number of troops, but the progress and longevity of Israel’s operation – which the New York Times is obviously anxious to see end.

****************************

Uncontroversial Chavez

In 2006, both nations didn’t simply “withdraw their envoys in a dispute over Israel’s campaign in Lebanon.” It was Chavez’s slurs, notably the same charge of “genocide,” that forced Israel to withdraw its envoy.

How hard was it to take 5 minutes to do a google search?

“In 2006, Mr. Chavez then labeled Israel’s operation 'genocide,' which is what led to the diplomatic row.”

Important context would’ve been added if a sentence like this were inserted.