I could source this text only to a Russian FB post. But it clinches nicely with what I know personally about the subject, so...
Pilar Rahola i Martínez - a Spanish journalist, writer, and former politician and MP about her fellow journalists in Israel.
Israel is a magnet for foreign journalists, not because there is more terror than in Mexico, and not because any of the journalists really care about the war of the Arabs vs the Jews. The real reason: Israel is the West. Foreign journalists live comfortably in Israel, they are looking for the slightest excuse for sensational stories with a magnifying glass and created a reputation for Israel, where shooting happens around every corner. Hence, the stay of a foreign special correspondent in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and so on is life-threatening, and the correspondent has to be paid at the higher rate.
At least 100 foreign special correspondents live in Israel permanently, including reporters of Al Jazeera and all this writing and broadcasting community is eating at the restaurants with clean utensils and regular health supervision. No matter whom of my colleagues I asked, no one dares to buy food in the Arab markets, with the exception of Jaffa, where on Saturdays the Jewish throngs gather. I forgot to point out that there are less accredited foreign journalists in Argentina than in Israel, not to mention Mexico and Colombia.
For a pleasant life one has to pay by providing material. As a result, when Israeli border guards kill two Palestinian terrorists, moans and cries rise to high heaven, but when in Mexico the gangsters and the police shoot 20-30 people daily, the wide world doesn't even know about it.
At the end of the reporting Rahola writes: "Israel must undoubtedly be considered a country under martial law. Any other country in this situation will introduce a strict censorship and definitely establish a Ministry of Information. Israel - an exception. In all the years of [Israel's] existence such ministry or government office has not been established.
When people ask me, "How did they live there ?!" - I say, "Okay," - and they say, "You're kidding, right?".
10 comments:
It would be interesting to know how the number of foreign journalists in Israel now compares to the number during the second intefadeh, when their daily life actually would have involved some significant risks but events in the country were certainly more newsworthy.
I guess already answered on FB: but the number is jumping quite high during unrest here, although the post is about the resident journos rather than temporary assignees.
But both kinds love cushy hotels and personal guides, provided by PA and other amenities.
That much suspected, Peter. But is Reme semetic or just emetic is the big question.
Bonita Friedland is a Jewish matron in Lake Forest, Illinois, who also has these slit-like eyes. They are the best clue to her Jewish origins.
Ah, a little truth for a change. Always a surprise, in her line of work. So much easier to follow the rest of the sheep. Baa, baa.
(And have a good trip!)
Emetic, hah.
Nope. Psychs are like lawyers. They hide the bad news so they'll get paid.
Thanks, I shall do my best.
Yeah, unfortunately in cases like this one.
Oh boy, another expert! Unbelievable - we are looking for this ability to detect errant members of the tribe everywhere. Would you consider a consultancy job, Kenton? You see, some Jooz are hiding under all kinds of guises and we need your ability to detect them to enable us to call them to do their duties.
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