The Associated Press publishes a story looking at why Palestinian residents of Jerusalem have been involved in terror attacks.
The AP’s bureau chief Josef Federman, however, conveniently leaves out important facts. He writes:
The unrest — a series of stabbings and shootings by Palestinian assailants across Israel, as well as clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinian protesters in the West Bank and Gaza — was sparked by Palestinian claims that Israel is plotting to take over the city’s most sensitive holy site. The hilltop compound, revered by Jews as the Temple Mount, is today home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam and a key national symbol for the Palestinians.
While it is correct to state that the Temple Mount is revered by Jews, it does not specifically state that the site is actually the holiest in Judaism. The AP does, however, state that the site is the third-holiest in Islam.
Referring to residency rights for Jerusalem Palestinians, the story says:
Residency entitles Palestinians to Israeli social services and freedom of movement, but without citizenship, they can’t vote in national elections.
It also states:
While Palestinians make up roughly 37 percent of Jerusalem’s population, their neighborhoods receive less than 15 percent of the municipal budget, according to Ir Amim, an advocacy group that promotes equality in the city. As a result, Arab neighborhoods have potholed streets, overcrowded classrooms and suffer from insufficient public services like water, sewage and garbage collection.
However, the article fails to note that Jerusalem Palestinians are able to vote for and run as candidates in municipal elections. Most choose not to exercise this right, both due to intimidation from the PA and Hamas and also to signify non-recognition of Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem. This, despite the fact that they could potentially control a significant proportion of the city council.
Resources tend to be allocated based on representation. With little or no Arab representation on the Jerusalem city council, this affects how much of the pie is received for Arab neighborhoods. Jerusalem’s Mayor Nir Barkat, as mentioned at the very end of the AP article, is attempting to rectify this situation.
Nonetheless, it is a serious omission by the AP not to mention that Jerusalem Palestinians could revolutionize their situation by actually exercising their democratic rights.
Why isn’t AP telling you the full story?
[sc:graybox ]Ask the AP by sending your considered comments through its contact page – http://ap.org/contact-us/general-information
