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June 08, 2005

Jewish Group Blasts SF Chronicle

A letter by the Northern California director of the American Jewish Committee director blasts the San Francisco Chronicle's treatment of a pro-Israel rally:

Editor -- If the 400,000 Jews in Northern California need yet one more reason to ridicule The Chronicle, the bizarre photo treatment of the Jewish community's Israel in the Gardens celebration is a flagrant case study ("Independence Day fete for Israel draws protesters," June 6).

Tens of thousands of Bay Area Jewish families and their friends spent a sun-filled day in Yerba Buena Gardens to enjoy music, dancing, food and art.

They gathered to herald Israel's historic struggle for survival against incalculable odds.

They probed their hopes for peace. They saluted community leaders. They cheered the accomplishments of scientists, artists, doctors and farmers.

The Chronicle's headline, photos, fractured caption and spotlight on the diatribes of the protesting dozens could not have been more transparently calculated. It worked.

Even the most indulgent now see clearly just how insignificantly a once first-rank newspaper values our Jewish citizens and readers.

ERNEST H. WEINER

Northern California director
American Jewish Committee
San Francisco

Posted by at June 8, 2005 05:00 PM