On July 29, 2002, I sent around a private email to about 4,000 people entitled, "Mood Swing at The Post?," a heads-up about a possible leftward shift in The Jerusalem Post?s news and editorial slant. I wrote then, "Over the years the editorial pendulum at The Jerusalem Post has swung wildly from right to left to center and back around again. Now there are telltale signs that another change in direction may be in the works. ?Keep an eye on The Jerusalem Post. They may be morphing once again."
I hate to say it, but I told you so. The Post has not only morphed, but emerged from the cocoon a pure white dove. In the May 1 Wall Street Journal, the Post?s editor, Bret Stephens, outs himself as an unabashed enthusiast for the Bush "Road Map," a "two-state solution" and the new PA/PLO "Prime Minister," Abu Mazen. Positively giddy with post-Saddam euphoria, Stephens swallows, and spits out, the new State Department party line whole: "Yasser Arafat has been forced to acquiesce to the appointment of Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas (better known as Abu Mazen) and his cabinet. On Monday, Mr. Abbas told a visiting European delegation that he plans to declare an end to the ?armed struggle? in his inaugural speech. For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon not only speaks of ?painful concessions?, but has named some of the settlements from which he intends to withdraw. The credit for all this goes to the Bush administration, which yesterday unveiled its ?road map? for Palestinian reform and statehood."
Mr. Stephens is cavalierly confident that Iraq?s defeat clears the way for another stab at "land for peace." Relying on none other than that brilliant strategist, negotiator and statesman, Ehud Barak, Bret assures us, "A de-Saddamized Iraq now gives Israel the strategic depth within which a Palestinian state can be more safely accommodated. Equally important, victory in Iraq has given President Bush the leverage to impose his will on recalcitrant Arab leaders ? leverage Bill Clinton could have sorely used, but had long before squandered, when he came to the Camp David negotiations in July 2000."
As if (or perhaps, actually) reciting from a PA/PLO press release, Stephens goes on, "Mr. Abbas is widely depicted as a moderate for his current opposition to the Intifada: ?By resorting to violence,? he told a group of Fatah Party activists earlier this year, ?we have played into the hands of Ariel Sharon and the Israeli right wing.? He is also said to be a firm believer in a two-state solution, and has close links to leading Israeli doves such as Oslo architect Yossi Beilin. And in his recent stand-off with Mr. Arafat over his cabinet picks, Mr. Abbas stood his ground and largely got his way."
But heck, nobody?s perfect. Mr. Stephens acknowledges a few "blemishes" in his new peace partner?s track record - such as a bit of Holocaust denial and some unexplained wealth accumulated "during the Oslo years." And there is always that forgiving ?but?: "That said, it is also important not to write Mr. Abbas off."
Before taking over as editor of The Jerusalem Post, Mr. Stephens worked for The Wall Street Journal. Still, it?s telling that his ingratiating, liberal sentiments have emerged fully formed on the pages of an American publication and not where he earns his falafel now - in front of an Israeli audience. Perhaps a career journalist like Bret Stephens is thinking about the future - his own. After all, if his pollyannaish prognostications are right, he?ll be a hot commodity back in the USA and may want to pack up and go home. And if his predictions prove false, he?ll have no other choice.
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Dovid Ben Chaim comments from New York City. He can be reached at dovibenchaim@myway.com.
I hate to say it, but I told you so. The Post has not only morphed, but emerged from the cocoon a pure white dove. In the May 1 Wall Street Journal, the Post?s editor, Bret Stephens, outs himself as an unabashed enthusiast for the Bush "Road Map," a "two-state solution" and the new PA/PLO "Prime Minister," Abu Mazen. Positively giddy with post-Saddam euphoria, Stephens swallows, and spits out, the new State Department party line whole: "Yasser Arafat has been forced to acquiesce to the appointment of Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas (better known as Abu Mazen) and his cabinet. On Monday, Mr. Abbas told a visiting European delegation that he plans to declare an end to the ?armed struggle? in his inaugural speech. For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon not only speaks of ?painful concessions?, but has named some of the settlements from which he intends to withdraw. The credit for all this goes to the Bush administration, which yesterday unveiled its ?road map? for Palestinian reform and statehood."
Mr. Stephens is cavalierly confident that Iraq?s defeat clears the way for another stab at "land for peace." Relying on none other than that brilliant strategist, negotiator and statesman, Ehud Barak, Bret assures us, "A de-Saddamized Iraq now gives Israel the strategic depth within which a Palestinian state can be more safely accommodated. Equally important, victory in Iraq has given President Bush the leverage to impose his will on recalcitrant Arab leaders ? leverage Bill Clinton could have sorely used, but had long before squandered, when he came to the Camp David negotiations in July 2000."
As if (or perhaps, actually) reciting from a PA/PLO press release, Stephens goes on, "Mr. Abbas is widely depicted as a moderate for his current opposition to the Intifada: ?By resorting to violence,? he told a group of Fatah Party activists earlier this year, ?we have played into the hands of Ariel Sharon and the Israeli right wing.? He is also said to be a firm believer in a two-state solution, and has close links to leading Israeli doves such as Oslo architect Yossi Beilin. And in his recent stand-off with Mr. Arafat over his cabinet picks, Mr. Abbas stood his ground and largely got his way."
But heck, nobody?s perfect. Mr. Stephens acknowledges a few "blemishes" in his new peace partner?s track record - such as a bit of Holocaust denial and some unexplained wealth accumulated "during the Oslo years." And there is always that forgiving ?but?: "That said, it is also important not to write Mr. Abbas off."
Before taking over as editor of The Jerusalem Post, Mr. Stephens worked for The Wall Street Journal. Still, it?s telling that his ingratiating, liberal sentiments have emerged fully formed on the pages of an American publication and not where he earns his falafel now - in front of an Israeli audience. Perhaps a career journalist like Bret Stephens is thinking about the future - his own. After all, if his pollyannaish prognostications are right, he?ll be a hot commodity back in the USA and may want to pack up and go home. And if his predictions prove false, he?ll have no other choice.
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Dovid Ben Chaim comments from New York City. He can be reached at dovibenchaim@myway.com.