Friends of Israel

From a Jewish Community Council of Victoria Press Release, Wednesday August 25, 2010 by Geoff Zygier:
 

Jewish Community Council of Victoria President John Searle and Zionist Council of Victoria President Dr Danny Lamm have again strongly criticised Melbourne broadsheet The Age for its ongoing anti-Israel bias over a number of years.

The leaders of Victoria’s peak Jewish bodies jointly observed that during the tenure of Andrew Jaspan and particularly that of his successor Paul Ramadge, The Age had increasingly engaged in a war of words against Israel.  Apart from steering its readership to a more anti-Israel position, Searle and Lamm consider that The Age’s strident line had also had the hopefully unintended by-product of legitimising antisemitism in this country.

“...Frankly, our community has simply just had enough of The Age’s lack of balance. Despite our best efforts to present Israel’s case, there have been too many instances of anti-Israel statements to count ...An example of the latter includes a recent article reprinted from The UK’s The Daily Telegraph which stated “Netanyahu will come under fierce pressure from Obama to extend a 10-month freeze on Jewish settlements in the West Bank”. The Age’s version made the following insertions “illegal Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank” (The Age, 070710). Such changes make a world of difference.”

" ...we have spoken to {Editor] Mr Ramadge on a number of occasions, both privately and in public forums.  While he is adept at making the right noises about The Age’s impartiality, his follow through leaves a great deal to be desired.  We believe that The Age’s record speaks for itself...”

A recent matter of concern was the reportage of Israel’s response to a flotilla of so-called peace activists that broached Israel’s territorial waters in an attempt to reach Hamas-ruled Gaza. ...strong letters of complaint ...to Mr Ramadge ...were ignored.  Searle’s subsequent phone call to Ramadge was not returned.

"...Until ...a clear policy change [to even-handedness as evidenced in The Age’s future content] is forthcoming I have no doubt that those of your readers who value Israel receiving a fair go will dwindle even further.”