Pray For The Success of Jewish Al-Jazeera

Following are some random musings from a Jewish media observer.

1.

A prominent columnist for the Village Voice, Michael Musto, has called gay Republicans: “Jewish Nazis” Musto wrote in his blog the other day that the gay Republican group GOProud are like “Jewish Nazis” or “Black Klan members” because of their endorsement of Mitt Romney.  Such a liberal double standard to say something like that about a group supporting a political party that half of America supports. Could one imagine the tremendous media uproar if Bill O’Reilly or Glen Beck would use similar language for a group endorsing Obama? Why the silence? Why are the rules different when it comes to liberals?

2.

In Sudan, slavery is openly practiced, and in Darfur there is genocide. In Saudi Arabia, non-Muslims aren’t permitted into their holy cities, expats cant study at universities, expats get 50% or less of salaries than citizens because their nationalities, in Iran and some Arab countries minorities sometimes get ripped from limb to limb in the streets; in  Zimbabwe, white farmers are sometimes raped, murdered, and robbed with the tacit encouragement of the current government. Racism is indeed unfortunately prevalent worldwide.

People like Sami Michael of the Association for Civil Rights in Israel harm Israel tremendously when they spew hatred like that Israel deserves the title of “most racist state.” (As Michael did this week at Haifa University.) It’s an absurdly inaccurate statement.

The “Association for Civil Rights in Israel” provides solace and strength to the enemies of Israel worldwide – what positive outcome can they possibly hope to accomplish with such hatred? Their words do so much damage to the Jewish state. Jew-haters worldwide don’t write petitions when they harangue Israel about “racism” – they blow up planes, firebomb synagogues and attack school-children, and words like this provide solace to terrorism. Shame.

Many years ago, Zionist leader Ze’ev Jabotinsky said it best:

“What interest can the Jewish nation have in individuals whose supreme pride consists in the fact that they have renounced their own people? The bitter root of our shame and our suffering is that we do not give our own people the full love of a patriot. It would be better if we did not love our people at all, if we were unconcerned as to whether it existed or had disappeared, rather than that we should love it halfway which means to despise it.” (Without Patriotism)

The Association for Civil Rights in Israel seemingly ignores the fact that there are six Million Jews in Israel surrounded by 200 Million Arabs. Arabs live in the Jewish State, Jews were all expelled from the Arab world or killed by the Arab world. Which one is more “racist”? Shameful.

3.

On a positive note, we should all pray for the success of Israeli-French businessman Patrick Drahi, who is investing in a new television channel to be broadcast in France that will cover news of the Middle East from an Israeli perspective. Later, an English-language version of the channel is to be launched directed mainly at the North American market.

Sources close to Drahi said:

“Patrick Drahi has … a sincere and real Zionist motivation to help improve Israel’s image by presenting the vibrant, modern, young lifestyle of the Israelis who live here…the purpose of the new channel would be “to contribute to Zionism.”

Al Jazeera is well produced, interesting television. Subtle propaganda, but its well done and the Arab world benefits tremendously from it. That said,when it was founded Al-Jazeera received a $147 subsidy from Qatar, and continues to receive approximately $100 Million annually from Qatar subsidies. It’s a money-losing venture and one which requires very deep pockets. But it is not the 1^st time someone has spoken before they have made headway in addressing Israel’s many public relations problems.