LA Times‘ Double Standards on Jerusalem
Recent Los Angeles Times’ coverage the Temple Mount’s importance in Islam and Judaism is marred by a double standard.
Two articles in the last week have noted that the contested site is “the third-holiest site in Islam,” but at the same time they neglected to note that it is also the most sacred site in Judaism.
Laura King and Batsheva Sobelman wrote in Thursday’s print edition:
Jewish activists’ calls to lift the prayer ban have fueled the Palestinian fear that Israel is trying to take over the plateau, which includes Al Aqsa mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam.
Similarly, King and Solbelman reported the next day:
Al Aqsa mosque, which is in the hilltop compound, is considered the third-holiest site in Islam. Jews revere the mount as the site of their ancient temples.
If an article notes that the Temple Mount is Islam’s third holiest site, then it should also note that it is Judaism’s most sacred site.
In the past, Batsheva Sobelman has correctly reported on this issue. Most recently, on Oct. 31, she commendably reported: “Temple Mount is considered the holiest site in Judaism, and Al Aqsa is regarded as the third-holiest site in Islam.”
In a separate glaring omission, the two articles of last week point to “growing Jewish presence in parts of the city the Palestinians seek to make the capital of their future state” as fueling growing tension and violence in Jerusalem. (In the other article, the wording is “the enlargement of Jewish enclaves in traditionally Arab parts of the city has been a source of growing anger.”)
The articles fail to note that, in addition, increased Palestinian incitement, including originating from President Abbas’ own government, has fueled tension and violence. For instance, days before the attempted murder of Rabbi Yehuda Glick, Abbas himself has declared that “all means must be used to prevent Jews from going up to the Haram.”
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