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Low Editorial Standards at The Independent
To: The Independent
Letter editor 2009–03–24
Low editorial standards
Re: Donald Macintyre and Johann Hari (20 March) - ‘Quel surprise’ - they jump on the Ha’aretz report about supposed IDF atrocities in
Gaza , without the slightest self-control.
Of course they do not tell us that Danny Zamir – the head of the Rabin pre-military academy whom they quote – has a long history of conscientious objection in a country where military service has been existentially necessary throughout the 60 years of its existence.
Of course they do not tell us that the old woman was approaching the soldiers after being warned not to. She was probably innocent, but could have been a suicide bomber, as it happened in similar incidents. Moreover it is not clear whether she was shot; it may simply have been the case that there was an argument only over whether to shoot someone who was approaching soldiers in a suspicious way.
Of course they do not tell us in the context of the woman and two children who were reportedly shot by a sniper after soldiers ordered them from their house and they mistakenly turned towards the soldiers, that civilians have been frequently used as suicide bombers.
And of course they do not tell us that further investigation by Israeli media suggests both incidents may not even have happened: The soldier who reported both alleged events did not witness them - he heard them as a rumour.
How far The Independent is prepared to lower its editorial standards, in the interests of demonising
Israel ?
Jonathan Hoffman
London
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