SMH: Ex-board member accuses Louise Adler of hypocrisy over NYT writer
The article covers what was said by Adler and Berg but does nothing to help the reader understand the broader context. It’s a carefully reported he-said she-said, but there are a few unforgivable elements.
See: the original article
Sins
Two issues stand out and both in the same line, how efficient: omission and ideological labeling.
Omission
Conservative Jewish groups previously criticised the Palestinian writer for social media posts critical of Israel.
Oh, only that they were critical of Israel? A brief review of public remarks from Abdel-Fattah shows why there is so much concern about platforming someone with her views.
Perhaps her comments on Hamas?
With that perspective in mind, this article shows almost nothing but hatred for Israel. It is noteworthy that it was authored on December 27th 2023, barely months after the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.
On October 7, Palestinian fighters broke out of their 16-year hostage conditions in the Gaza Strip Expressions of shock, surprise, and disbelief at Hamas’ unprecedented breakout and attack
Hamas did somewhat more than that, murdering over a thousand innocents in an orgy of rape, torture, and barbarism. She sees this as a “breakout”. See the almost revering tones reserved for what she describes as a prison breakout.
Establishment media, politicians, and the pro-Israel lobby characterized Palestine rallies organized across Australia as an expression of hatred towards Jews; a “celebration” of Israeli deaths. It’s hard to understand why they might feel this way, after a protest on October 9th included a mob baying for Jewish blood and lives.
Those of us who have some skin in the game see that hatred and the results of it, and understand that it leads to nothing but death for those Jews around the world that have the temerity to support Israel and, in time, even those who do not.
It defies understanding how the Herald can make a statement suggesting the concern is that Abdel-Fattah is “critical of Israel”, and not include some of these criticisms for the reader to judge for themselves. It is certainly not in the spirit of the profession to downplay the severity of the concerns by hiding them behind such an anodyne and generic phrase.
Ideological Mislabelling
Conservative Jewish groups previously criticised the Palestinian writer for social media posts critical of Israel.
Note how the Herald marks this as “conservative” Jewish groups, as if to smear (sorry, schmear) them with that appellation. We should note, Australia’s mainstream Jewish groups wouldn’t describe themselves as conservative and indeed on every value could not be considered so. Certainly not AIJAC whose Chairman campaigned strongly for the voice. Certainly not ECAJ whose platform includes policies in line with Labor’s on climate change, LGBTQ discrimination, gender equality, etc.
The label is purely rhetorical. When the Herald says this, they really mean to subtly mark the concerns as politically tribal.
This plays out in other articles on the site by platforming those Jewish organisations they wish were more mainstream, namely the ill-labeled (raashans at the ready) Jewish Council of Australia. Note how often they call on them, quote them, or even invite comment from them as if they were representative of anything but the tiniest portion of Jewry. Luckily not in this case, small blessings.
No friends, as much as they may wish to marginalise concern here, the overwhelming majority of Jews in Australia and indeed the world are horrified by the views expressed by Abdel-Fattah. They aren’t merely a criticism of Israel.
Overall Review
Not the worst article they’ve published, mostly a representation of the facts or at least what was said on the record. They can’t help themselves though, talking about the Jewish community rather than to them is a definite weakness.
Overall rating: 6/10 (low fat cream cheese).