Kiwis for Balanced Reporting on the Middle East

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Bigotry Box

When writers blame Israel for actions that they ignore or condone when done to a far worse degree by other nations (including Israel's enemies), one wonders about their motives. In the following letters the hatred and bigotry are overt, suggesting that they are the tip of an anti-Semitic iceberg.

August 28, 2010
To Kiwis for ballanced reporting on the Middle East
I am a pretty mainstream Kiwi. I watched the Israeli attack on Gaza in 2008 and was pretty shocked. As I am sure you know, 1400 people died in that attack, 300 of them children. I went back and looked at the record of the cause of the war.
Records show that there was a 6 month ceasefire, which the Israeli Intelligence and Terrorism Information Centre and Human Rights Watch are documented saying Hamas did not violate once, although other Palestinean organisations did. Hamas arrested some of those involved in such attacks. Meanwhile Israel was documented violating it several times, culminating in a massive break where tanks and bulldozers overran the border and killed a Hamas soldier. As a result of this, Hamas renewed its rocket attacks. Israel subsequently invaded Gaza.
Israels use of violence was illegal since Hamas had offered a very reasonable extension of the ceasefire, which Israel downright refused. Recourse to such force is illegal unless all alternatives are exhausted.
The Goldstone report declared significant human rights abuses (on both sides) and possible war crimes. It is obvious to anyone that killing 300 children is unjustified, under any circumstances whatsoever, even had Palestineans been the cause of the holocaust that would not justify Israel to kill a single Palestinean child. In fact, all Palestineans have done is fired rockets at Israel, which have killed a handful of Israelis over the course of decades. Israel annihilated 1400 Palestineans in a few weeks. As an occupied territory they do have a legitimate right to defend themselves and fight back.
Also worth noting, the town of Sderot which suffers most of the rocket attacks is an Arab town which was ethnically cleansed of its Arab population by Israel and now is an Israeli town.
If someone killed your family, drove you out of your house and started living in it, what would you do? I have respect for the Palestineans who stand and fight.
Israel has no recourse to international law until they disband all settlements in occupied Palestinean territories which are universally except in Israel recognized as illegal and the major obstacle to peace.
Could you please stop defending Gilad Shalit? He belongs to an organisation, the IDF, responsible for the deaths of thousands of civilians, in what amounts to by any definition terrorism. If the shoe was on the other foot, Israel would have him in the same situation or worse. Heres a bit of ballanced reporting for you, Israel has ten thousand Palestineans in it's custody, including hundreds of minors. How about giving their plight equal airtime to one Gilad Shalit. Your idea of ballanced reporting is a bad joke.
I find your website to be highly bigoted and offensive to both Palestineans and Jews. Please stop trying to justify Israeli war crimes. You are engaged in denial of genocide, a very serious crime.

August 15, 2010
The following unsigned letter, although not overtly anti-Semitic, reeks of prejudice. Facts favourable to Israel or unfavourable to Palestinians are either ignored or derided, and false claims are made. (KBRM comments are in blue.)
It is with utter disgust that I am writing to you in regards to the paid advertisement in the Herald. It is obvious that your organisation has jumped the band wagon of pro-Israel rhetoric. While I understand that you have the right to your views, it is obvious you have misinterpreted the meaning of "objective". An international inquiry hasn't yet begun but I am sure the whole world would love to get the results. However, I need to bring to your attention some matters which you raised. Much of the article was trying to validate and justify the actions of the Israelis. On the other hand, you have mentioned atrocities by Muslims. What I fail to understand is what makes you so right in supporting one group while criticising the other. Why do you have to attack Muslims in trying to justify Israelis killing the peace activists??
The advert was designed to present facts not found in the newspapers, not to validate, justify, support or criticise either side. We did not "attack" Muslims. We reported the fact, seen on videotape, that the peace activists' attacked the Israelis first, who then responded with force. Yet almost nothing except condemnation of Israel , with little evidence, has appeared in the New Zealand media. Our advertisement addresses this imbalance.
You should also mention in your article, since you are an objective group that most killings, murderers, criminals in jails around the world are Christians. You don't have to go far, check the statistics from NZ jails and US jails. You will be surprised what you will find. So I strongly suggest that you use these figures in future articles.
Our concern is Balanced Reporting on the Middle East. However it is not surprising that most criminals in Christian nations are Christian. Your prejudice is showing again.
Israel has continually defied numerous UN resolutions and your defense of the Israelis is appalling.
We do not ‘defend Israel’; we present facts. Nearly all UN resolutions are non-binding expressions of opinion. There have been many resolutions critical of Israel , passed because most Islamic countries support anything critical of Israel . No binding resolution has ever been passed against Israel.
Israel demolished homes, killed hundreds and made Palestinians slaves in their own country. How would you feel if someone made another home in your own compound and put a big fence in between?? Will you welcome the neighbour with open arms?? Well, that's what your article implies. Your ignorance of the actual situation is absolutely pathetic and sickening.
In fact, few homes have been demolished, and those only after a full legal process. Demolishing illegal structures is done in many countries, including New Zealand. Residents of the Palestinian Territories are denied numerous rights, e.g. the right to vote, but this was imposed by their own leaders. There is no slavery in Israel or the Territories. The Palestinian ‘slaves’;, as you call them, in Israel prefer to live there (where they have full rights) than in a Palestinian state. There would be no killings if the Palestinians would give up their terror war on Israel and accept its existence. If you attack a country, you must expect to be counter-attacked.
The Humanitarian crisis is escalating by the day. All countries around the world acknowledge this, including the US . A ship is bound to Gaza from America as you read this. (check the internet) So I am now wondering what makes you so right in saying that Gazans are living a life of luxury ...
Our advert did not claim that all Gazans live a life of luxury. However even Hamas leaders have stated that there is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza. There is undoubtedly hardship, but also much wealth, and the Hamas rulers seem uninterested in redistribution.
The US tried to justify the war in Iraq with the weapons of mass destruction as the reason. They found nothing. Israel killed the members of the peace group on the pretext they had weapons. Not even a single ‘gun’ was found. Even you acknowledge this!!!
Israeli forces did not respond to a ‘pretext’, but to attacks that are documented on videotape. If a crew chooses to attack soldiers trying to carry out a peaceful mission, the consequences are likely to be severe. While no gun was found, there were bullets that did not come from Israeli guns. (It's not hard to throw a gun overboard.)
I must say your article is not in anyway whatsoever ‘balanced’. I am an avid reader of world news and I do not confine myself to one form of media. I have followed the Israeli, Palestine conflict for a long time and I can confidently conclude that your organisation is pro Israel . That is why you have denied that Palestinians face any problems at all. I suggest you and your colleagues watch BBC/ABC/AL-JAZEERA for update coverage of world news.
We are not ‘pro-Israel’, we are ‘pro-truth-for-Israel’. There is a difference. When we see unbalanced reporting in the media, we try to correct it by supplying ‘missing truths’. We never denied that Palestinian face problems. Most if not all of these problems could be solved if their leadership would agree to accept the existence of Israel.
And please do a good research and get your facts right in your next article. NZ deserves balanced reporting. But not what you print. Thanks for reading have a lovely day.
Once again, we do not present ‘balanced reporting’, we try to restore it. For all your criticism you didn't mention one fact that we got wrong. We must have done a good job.

June 20, 2010
i dont dislike jews , what i dislike is the arrogance of the jew on other peoples/humans and the sense that the arrogant jew thinks the rest of the world/humans are dumb and that everything that spills from the arrogant jews mouth is the truth. if the arrogant jew truley believed in what they are doing to humans in palistine/gaza, why the need to take out advertisments to justify arrogant jew treatment of other humans. the truth needs no ads. its a shame that the arrogant jew has not learnt any lessons from the past, i feel if they had allowed themselves to have learnt these lessons jews would be living in a safer land were everyone would be equal. but no, paranoia and arrogance got the better of the arrogant jew, so your bed now sleep in it. admittedly there are two sides to the story and atrositys are being done on both sides, but the arrogant jew has the power to make change, what arrogant jew is doing and have done is not working. why not play the bigger man and make change, is it truly that hard to extend the hand of friendship. small steps lead to big understanding and big change.have i missed something or am i right on the money, e mail me back and make me understand but before you do drop the arrogance and i'll meet you on a level playing field called human. after all strip away religion, colour, creed etc we are all human beings, what makes the arrogant jew so special?

June 1, 2010
Zionist Pirates on the High Seas equals zionist murderers equals zionist scum. Now which part of the preceeding sentence do you consider inaccurate?

May 28, 2010
ITS IMPOSSIBLE FOR A JEW TO BE REASONABLE OVER PALESTINE, BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO THICK IN THE SKULL. YOUR ADVERT ONLY PROVES ISRAELI-JEWS ARE LIERS — THEIVES & MURDERS OF INOCENT MEN WOMEN & CHILDREN!!!
IT WOULD BE BETTER THAT A MILLSTONE IS TIED AROND THEIR NEEKS & BE DROPED INTO THE SEA. JEWS ONLY THINK THEY ARE A SPECIAL RACE. (Swastika symbol)

The above anonymous message (with misspellings as shown) was printed in crude block letters on the back of an article ‘Zionism and Israel’, with ‘PURE SHIT’ written next to the title:

May 27, 2010
Unbalanced should really be the word. Your adverts and website are an Israeli front, a sick PR stunt, which convinces no one. What is really foul-rotten-stinking, is the fact you and your supporters are absolutely blind to the realities of real life. New Zealand does not need this putrid brand of hate mongering, does not need this PR rubbish bandied about. You already have the media/banks/usa//linton etc on your side, go play your sick games somewhere else. NZ first second third. We don't give a rats arse about israel here.

I acknowledge your e-mail which displays all the attributes you are assigning to KBRM. Our role to put forward the facts about the Middle East that the NZ either miss or deliberately ignore. That this is one-sided is a reflection on the NZ media. If they were more balanced in their own reporting, we would not need to exist.

May 23, 2010
Unbalanced should really be the word. Your adverts and website are an Israeli front, a sick PR stunt, which convinces no one. What is really foul-rotten-stinking, is the fact you and your supporters are absolutely blind to the realities of real life. New Zealand does not need this putrid brand of hate mongering, does not need this PR rubbish bandied about. You already have the media/banks/usa/clinton etc on your side, go play your sick games somewhere else. NZ first second third. We don't give a rats arse about israel here.

May 19, 2010
I wonder if you clowns have ever visited the West bank or Gaza and seen what is actually going on there. I am guessing you get your info from AIPAC's monthly newsletter or perhaps you subscribe to that thug Lieberman's blog.
Wherever you get it you need to seriously check it — and realise that you are supporting a state which has already developed striking similarities to apartheid South Africa. No state is more ignorant and arrogant than that of Israel and by trying to misinform the public you are doing more harm than good.

May 19, 2010
This letter was received in relation to the Jerusalem ad. HERE
‘ In the meantime they're not hurting anyone, despite all the complaining.’
what a remarkably stupid comment. Where did you leave your brain?

Response:

Insults are generally a measure of desperation and ignorance in an argument. In most parts of the ‘free’ world limiting where people can live based on religion or ethnic background is considered unacceptable. We are sorry to hear that you believe in apartheid and that some areas should be forbidden to Jews to live based on their nationality or religion.

April 23, 2010
Sirs, I refer to your ad in the Christchurch Press in January. I must say that it is a great pity Hitler never completed his work, but I rest comfortable in the thought that another Hitler is coming.

April 30, 2010
Printed document (abridged): ...We will remember how Jews financed Germany and Austria-Hungary in World War One and how Jews in Palestine made overtures to the Nazi German Government in World War Two... We look forward to the day when Israel no longer exists and the murderers of the IDF find their end... We will tell the truth about Israel and how Israel is the leading and number one terrorist nation of the world who with rich American Jews are out to taake (sic) over the world. (no name)

February 1, 2010
In the following letter, the equating of Israel with Nazis, the ridiculous accusation of "enslaving the population", and the desire to "cleanse the Holy Land" of Jews, betrays the hatred and bigotry of the writer.
Interesting that there are people who still believe in the ideas of Josef Stalin and Adolf Hitler in taking other peoples' lands and enslaving the population.
The IDF is outstanding for brutality when compared with the old Soviet and German armies of sixty years ago. We will send finance and equipment to help Hamas to cleanse the Holy Land.

February 1, 2010
The following words were written across a clipping of KBRM's advert ‘Gaza: One year on’: ‘Lies Lies LIes arseholes of the universe’
An accompanying note read:
Israeli land thieves and murdering scum

February 1, 2010
This letter, while not as extreme as others in the Bigotry Box, shows its bias by the stereotyping of Israelis (by someone who apparently hasn't been in Israel) and by an accusation of lying without citing one instance of a factual error.
Face it. You people do not tell the truth. I have been into Gaza and the West Bank and have seen and experienced Israeli behaviour first hand. Please don't portray Israelis as victims for victims they are not. They are arrogant and aggressive people and most are just not nice people to be around.
The truth is that if Israelis were not stealing Arab land there would be no Arab aggression. Simple. Stop bullying and stealing from Arabs, stop being aggressive and oppressive and your problems will be solved. As I say simple solution. Stop lying to the world.


Kicks

The following complaint was sent to the Advertising Standards Authority:

August 10, 2010

I was astonished by the Heralds continual support for printing a half-page [it was actually 1/4-page] advertisement on p. A13, 10/8/10, labelled Gaza flotilla: The missing truths. The advertisement was submitted by a group that ironically calls themselves Kiwis for Balanced Reporting on the Middle East — KBRM, which is nothing short of hypocrisy and an example of misguided propaganda given this is far from balanced. This is a topic that needs more representation of truth, not a distillation of truth in an ADVERTISEMENT that is cleverly disguised as an EDITORIAL PIECE aimed to confuse readers.
The NZ Herald has a history of supporting KBRM's medium to operate their propaganda. So I was compelled to complain formally given the nature and sensitivity of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and to allow such propaganda to be printed in a National paper to be an unjust method of opinion. We are often faced with two sides of (sic) in this country. But when an advertisement that disguises itself as an editorial piece allowing an imbalance of truth through a dodgy form of propaganda finds its way consistently into the wider viewership we are heading down a slippery slope. Support for printing such articles as the attached sets a dangerous standard for advertising and news media in general.

While the writer found no errors in the advertisement, he objects to it because it is ‘unbalanced’. When someone goes out of his way to protest the presentation of facts favourable to Israel, calling them ‘misguided propaganda’, but doesn't object to the deluge of opinion articles in the NZ Herald that attack Israel, that person can only be called a bigot. The charge that the KBRM ad was ‘cleverly disguised’ is false: the word ‘advertisement’ was clearly printed both above and below the advert. No deception was intended. Most importantly, the writer fails to understand the purpose of KBRM. We are not in the news business. When we see unbalanced reporting, we try to correct it by presenting ‘missing truths.’ If the newspapers would present a balanced and truthful picture, there would be no need for KBRM's advertisements.
The Advertising Standards Authority agreed, writing ‘The chairman has determined that there is no apparent breach of the Code.’

August 11, 2010

Subject: have you ever stopped to wonder?
have you ever stopped to wonder WHY the media is so ‘biased’ against israel? its not because the media are nazis or anti semites or any of the other excuses you can make up. its because ISRAEL is the aggressor who is breaking international laws, and deliberately provoking terrorism from a desperate people who have no other option, in order to justify more aggression and drive the palestinians from their land .
why is it that all the facts you guys publish are pro israel? you say you just want to expose the truth but it seems that your 'truth' conveniently misses out atrocities commited against the palestinians and continues to play the old ‘all jews are innocent victims’ card. i hope i am not being an anti semitic nazi for pointing this out.
you continually play the anti semitic card to anyone who criticises israel. its ok for you guys to criticise the media or the arabs but as soon as anyone criticises israel they are anti semitic. its disgusting and cheap and playing on peoples sympathy of the holocaust for your own political aims

August 11, 2010

In my opinion stating that the article was an advertisement, is an insult to the intelligence and integrity of New Zealanders. It is quite obviously (and blatantly so), nothing more than Pro-Israeli propaganda and is close to, if not, a piece of discriminatory hate literature. I would also like to point out a discrepancy in your ‘advertisement’ — In paragraph number 6 with the underlined title of — Did Israel initiate the voilence? You state that Israeli soldiers rappelled onto the ship from a helicopter, however,on the same page (A13), a story from the AP with the Title of — Turkey was looking for a fight, says Netanyahu — clearly states that Israeli Naval Commandos were used in the operation. Commandos are very highly trained soldiers -— trained in shock tactics and raiding, they are also more likely to use lethal force in a situation than regular soldiers.
Your ‘Advertisement’ also sates in its fifth paragraph that Israeli did not in fact raid the flotilla — why then were Naval Commandos used instead of regular troops? You also state that the Israeli soldiers were met with various weapons including guns, although a search of the ship revealed no guns on board (except — please forgive me here as I am guessing — those which were carried by the Naval Commandos). Your reasoning for this claim is that a bullet in a wounded Israeli ‘soldier’ was not of the calibre used in Israeli weapons, however I would like to point out that Special Forces Troops ( as Naval Commandos are), often use specialist weapons of their own choosing that fall out of the sphere of standard issue weapons. Perhaps this wounded Naval Commando was hit by ‘friendly fire’.
In conclusion, I believe there are many missing truths with regards to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. It saddens me to see such a blatant piece of hate mongering literature published in a New Zealand newspaper, I will also be contacting the Editor of the New Zealand Herald in relation to this issue.

August 10, 2010

Hi there
I'd appreciate not opening up the ‘world section’ of my paper to read what;s going on in the world without having to read your jewish propaganda.
Jews are not the victims any more, I know Israel gets offended when being compared to Nazi's… but Israel has created the world biggest concentrations camp in the form of Gaza. No one believes your bullshit ‘story’ you put in the paper. What happened in Iraq was a dictatorship you guys are unbelievable to think that people form N.Z will believe you garbage.
Stop wasting your time and money, simply a case of and eye for and eye taken way to far. Just because something happened in WW2 does not give justice for these actions…hello Russia had 13million killed. I don't think anyone wants to be killed.
Open your eyes and stop living in the past

April 23, 2010

Fascinating! I thought we'd hear from you again — more unbalanced views which totally ignore the Palestinians. I don't wonder the article was not accepted and I still go along with the very good journalist [he means letter writer] who remarked last time that the ads very probably came from the Israeli Government. You didn't reply to my previous letter. May I have a reply to this one please?

Response:

KBRM is not a news service, and we don't present "views". Our mission is to present truths and facts not usually seen in the NZ media. Our ads are not written or subsidised by the Israeli Government. They are written by KBRM members who believe that Kiwis should be see the whole truth. I hope you will tell me why you object to facts that are favourable to Israel.

April 20, 2010

Talking about the historic Jewish link to the land of Israel as Jewish homeland, from which the Jews were disposed and are now claiming this lost possession back, does this mean that any country or religion who are/were in the same position over the centuries are entitled to dispossess other people now? Does this for example mean that the Orthodox Greek, has now the same historical right to claim Constantinople/Istanbul as their homeland/capital? Where on top of it all the Ayia Sophia church is now used as a mosque? Or even the Greek nation could claim that part of their continent as it was in their possession many many centuries ago and for a very long time?

Response:

You have misunderstood what KBRM is all about. It is not our business to decide who is entitled to what. It is only our business to supply truths that are missing from news reports about Israel.

Nevertheless, I think I can answer your question. Israel's ‘entitlement’ to exist is not based on history, as you suggest, but on a United Nations resolution and on the bestowal of the land by its former ruler, Great Britain. (See Balfour Declaration and San Remo Resolution.) You also might want to read a number of articles on the dissertation by Jacques Gauthier, a non Jewish Canadian lawyer, which are on the Internet linked to the San Remo conference taking place this week.
www.israelnationalnews.com

April 20, 2010 (Edited)

I read with interest your piece in the Herald about Jerusalem.
I wonder if now in the interests of balanced reporting you might consider doing a piece on the Aida refugee camp in near Bethlehem. This refugee camp has been there since 1948. Here are people who have been refugees in their own country for over 60 years. There are about 5,000 of them and they live in a space that is less than 1 square km.. There is just one medical centre with one doctor. The children have to play in the streets because the park with olive trees that they used to play in is now behind a concrete barrier that is about 9 metres high. Some of the inhabitants still hold the keys to their homes that the Israeli army drove them out of in 1948. And they are waiting for Israel to implement UN Resolution 194. What really impressed me when I visited recently was the amazing work that the Lajee Centre is doing giving hope to the children of the refugees, living in a space where there is so little hope... This is information that the we in the west never hear about, and we need to know. Unfortunately we only hear your stories about the people who are keeping them in camps like this.

Response:

I'm afraid you misunderstand the mission of KBRM. Our website is not intended to take the place of newspapers. Our mission, and that of our website is to report on those actions and to supply facts and truths about Israel that are not usually presented in the media. Stories of the Palestinian refugee camps are a well covered staple fodder for media and visitors to the Middle East over many years. Few address the real issues that see these camps continue to exist 60 years after the war that brought them into being.

Population exchanges are a common event in history - over a million Jews persecuted in Arab lands, losing all their assets and homes, have been resettled in Israel. Millions of European Jewish families lost title to their homes and assets as a consequence of War in Europe. Indeed, resettlement of displaced people after a war (in this case, a war started by the Arabs) is commonplace.

Perhaps you should be considering why the Palestinian Authority, their Arab neighbours and UNRWA maintain such camps and do not integrate their inhabitants into new homes and settlements, preferring to leave them for the most part in squalid conditions when Israel has successfully absorbed around 1 million refugees from Arab lands.

February 28, 2010

I have to wonder,
If the allegations that Israel is continuing to use the identity and passports of other nations as they conduct their ‘foreign affairs’ for the want of a better word. Then is it any wonder that Israel continues to have such a bad reputation? I have an Australian passport, if what is alleged is true, then the actions of the Israeli government have raised the threats I may encounter should I be travelling in the middle east. Am I happy about this? You bet I'm not. How dare my own security be threatened by the unsanctioned actions of another nation.

I don't want to get into a debate about the rights or wrongs of the Israeli/Palenstenian issue. I like to consider myself open minded and prepared to listen to both sides of a story, but after the actions of Mossad in NZ in 2004, and now this latest set of allegations, I am finding my sympathy for the Isareli postion waning very quickly. Such arrogance is likely to have an equal reaction.

I look forward to hearing the ‘truth’ on your site about this sorry episode.
Regards

Response:

Dear __________
KBRM is not an linked to the Israel Embassy or to any Zionist group and its members include both Christians and Jews. Since Israel has not admitted that it was responsible for the death of Hamas terrorist Mahbouh, you are making unverified assumptions of its role and actions.

KBRM has no more information on the matter than is available through the news media. I'm afraid you misunderstand the mission of KBRM. It is not our business to criticise or defend Israel's actions; Israel, like every other nation, does some things right and some things wrong. Our mission is to correct imbalanced reporting and supply missing truths.
Yours sincerely,
_______, KBRM contact

Kudos

August 21, 2010

Subject: A drop of sanity down under.
I am buoyed by the interest and activities of such a few in trying to counter the almost insurmountable tsunami of anti-Israel/Jew Journalism that has become the norm in the once fair and balanced Isle of NZ.
I hope you succeed in your goals and myself contribute to your battle from afar.

August 20, 2010 slightly edited

Just a short note to give you my full support for the great job you are doing for standing up for Israel. You seem to be one of the ever-shrinking number of supporters behind Israel. I can't believe my eyes and ears for what I see and hear. It is 1939 all over, with Islam replacing Hitler — the whole world kowtowing to them. The God of this world certainly blinded their minds. Unbelievable to see this happening.
The main reason I write this note is that I came across a small article in one of the magazines I receive called ‘Israel and Christians Today’, a bi-monthly magazine in support of Israel — an excellent magazine I find very inspiring and helpful. The article deals with the Gaza situation and the blockade. I just thought how great it would be if you could publish this in a NZ daily newspaper. I don't know if I'm just dreaming, but I thought it would deal those Israel-haters a blow.
I'm not a GT-minded person, so I can't send Emails. (I'm just old and old-fashioned.)
Please be assured of my full support for your work. I have enclosed a small donation towards your work. My wish is that God will bless you as much as He has blessed me.

While KBRM appreciates this warm-hearted support, we must also point out that we do not ‘;support Israel’, we support ‘truth for Israel.’ There is a subtle difference.

August 20, 2010

I am so pleased when I read your articles in the newspaper. Thank you that you express and write down what I think but don’t have the gifting to put to print.
I would like to send you a financial donation, although it’s not much, it will come from the heart.

August 16, 2010

Having spent a year as a ‘volunteer’ in Israel, and a subscriber to Honest Reporting, Jpost, TIP, and also a weekly newsletter from David Silver who is a Kiwi Christian pastor living in Haifa I feel I am kept informed of the facts behind what is reported in newspapers. I have always felt frustrated and helpless by the way the ‘news’ is reported so I was thrilled to see your ad in the Herald although it is a pity that advertisements have to be placed and paid for in order to obtain unbiased reporting of events involving Israel.
In every article reporting any incident involving Israel or Israelis defending themselves, the lead in of the article will always read of what the actions taken by Israel have caused, followed then by words to the effect that it was in retaliation for some horrendous action by a terrorist. Most people reading the lead sentence or two will be once again of the opinion that Israel (or an Israeli) is the aggressor and so the bias against Israel escalates. That reminds me of a banner headline in the Herald during the war with Lebanon when a building collapsed (supposedly by shelling by the Israelis) which referred to the deaths caused as an atrocity perpetrated by Israel. When the actual truth was exposed not long after the Herald went to print with this banner, the headline was changed; but the retraction appeared in small print somewhere around page 3 days later.
Please add me to the subscriber list for your newsletter.

August 15, 2010

Subject: Well Done Folks
Just want to say thanks for your great efforts here with your site and actions. I came across your recent advertisement some weeks ago in the Dominion Post, which got me to here.
Will be in the loop from now on and will help when I can with the odd donation.
Israel does not get a fair rap at all, particularly with this new found vengeance from the west. I visited in 2007, including a couple of the Palestinian zones. I hope to return sometime in the next few years.
Keep up your wonderful work.

August 15, 2010

I would like to be kept informed Of any Israeli news. I fully support the Israeli position on the Gaza flotilla and the need to defend Israel.
I am a long time supporter of democracy in the Middle East.

August 15, 2010 (Abridged)

Generally, I agree with all your statements about the ‘Gaza flotilla and blockade,’ in that the global media (British-controlled) are not largely reporting the real truth and are extremely biased against Israel, and I applaud you for your courage in aggressively making these facts known to the general public.
Thanks for actively promoting ‘balanced and truthful reporting on the Mideast.’ So refreshing to see someone actually is doing something and speaking up out of this great sea of apathy at present. But you certainly have a huge job on your hands!
All the best.

August 15, 2010

In recent weeks, this incident has provoked huge debate amongst my own work colleagues and close friends. For most the most part, opinion has been divided depending on the source of information or misinformation. It saddens me, that generally there seems be a perception that whatever happens, Israel alone is responsible. It was refreshing to read your version of events published in todays Sunday Star times. I have never been a cheer leader for Israel, but have always maintained its right to exist alongside the Palestinians and any other Arab Nation.
Muslim radicalization is the greatest threat facing not only Israel, but western democracy. I am appalled that ordinary New Zealanders have signed up to be part of the so called ‘Peace Convoy’ which draws its inspiration from radical groups such as Hamas. As you rightly point out, the real motivation behind this deluded campaign is to embarrass Israel by drawing it into direct confrontation.
I support Israel in its stand against this sort of provocation. Hamas has had its supply lines into Gaza severely disrupted and is looking at other avenues for its support.
Keep up the good work.
Kia kaha, kia Manawanui.

August 12, 2010

Could you please advise me how I give a donation to continue the good work that you do?

August 12, 2010

I support what you are trying to achieve. I believe that the NZ media is so pro ‘PC’ that it cannot, or will not, report the facts of what is actually occurring in the middle east.
I have been very reluctant, up till now, to actually put into print how I feel. But your latest articles in the NZ Herald have prompted me to at least send this e-mail.
I make no excuse that I am pro Jewish — I am not Jewish — but was brought up in the East End of London and have many Jewish friends whose memories I fondly treasure. How can anything be wrong with people that want to live in peace in their homeland?
Unfortunately, I am not in a position to give you any meaningful financial support but my heart and mind are with you.
I wish you every success and continue to bring attention to the one sided media reporting that we suffer daily.

August 12, 2010

It was good to see some balance in reporting information. Radio interviews especially inevitably fail to put both sides. Whilst I am concerned at the ‘seeming’ difficulty of getting supplies to Gaza I can well understand the anxiety created in circumstances where there is an open border which would allow a free flow of arms. I would like one of the interviewers to ask the Hamas sympathizers where they get their raw materials for rockets from? Sadly the concept of the ‘fourth estate’ is just that - a concept, observed in the breach. It is easy to be virtuous from the safety of New Zealand but I wonder how our news media would cope if they lived in an Israeli neighourhood and were subject to a constant threat of rocket fire without any warning.

August 11, 2010

After reading ‘Gaza flotilla: the missing truths’ in The Dominion Post (Friday 6 August), we would like to thank you for providing honest and balanced information on the Middle East affairs.
It is important to counterbalance misinformation and half-truths that are supplied to New Zealand audience by mass-media where anti-Israel hysteria often prevails.

August 11, 2010

Subject: Where are you?
Many thanks for your articles in the Herald. I couldn't agree with them more. I can only take comfort in the fact that the Lord will sort everyone out in the end. Kind regards

August 11, 2010

Subject: Good on you for writing this
A friend just forwarded your Gaza flotilla ‘other side of the story’ to me. I am very pleased that an organisation like yours now exists.
You might have noticed my name on some letters to the editor in various media already. Sticking up for Israel is one of my favourite letter subjects.
If you have a regular email bulletin, please do add me to your email list.

August 10, 2010

I have just seen your advertisement in todays NZ Herald and just so relieved that others think as I do and actually doing something about it! It is appalling how the NZ and world media treat Israel and I can only think it is part of End time events.
People are deluded.
Am so gratelful there is a voice in the wilderness and will pass on your web address and email to other like minded folk.
Thankyou,
God bless you all working away so hard.

August 10, 2010

I applaud your efforts to counter the blatant anti-Israel bias in the media. It is nauseating that the fourth estate are downright dishonest and distort the truth to suit their political agendas.
Sadly, there are blind and bitter people who will never ‘see’ the truth. However, I hope you will be able to convince people of goodwill that they need to be a little more discerning. Israel surely needs people who have the courage to stand against the malevolent and the misled and declare the ‘emperor has no clothes’!
Although I have limited means at the moment, I would like soon to be in a position to support your efforts with a donation. If I can do more, please contact me.
Warm regards,

August 21, 2010

Please find a cheque of $50-00 for your cause. I wish you every success.
I do not have a computer; hope this is some help.

August 11, 2010

Dear Friends,
Well done! It is good to see your advertisements in the Press. Sincerely…..

August 10, 2010

Hi
It was nice to open the Herald today and to read a balanced view of the reality in the middle East.
In reading some of your negative emails, some of the people seem to be poorly educated and ignorant (as indicated by their spelling and grammar). Their writing is reminiscent of the right wing Nazi sympathizers and deserve no credibility at all. The Middle East should be a place where people of all religions and races can coexist side by side, but it must be hard for Israel to be surrounded by peoples whose stated aim is to wipe this country off the face of the earth, whereas I believe that Israel is prepared to live peacefully alongside other nations as long as their hostility doesn't turn into outright attacks, as appears to be the case right now.
One of my wishes is that The Palestinians can have a country of their own and that Jerusalem could be made into a neutral zone. It is a city close to the heart of many peoples.
In the meantime I admire both Israel's strength and restraint with regard to the provocations from all around them, they don't always get it right, but mostly they do.
You are doing a good job to present an unbiased and balanced view of the Israeli situation.
Keep up the good work.

August 10, 2010

Dear people,
Thanks for your great articles printed in the NZ Herald. We are kiwi christians who have visited Israel ( and Jordan, where the maps show a blank where Israel is ), and applaud your efforts to place the truth in front of people, who hopefully will have their eyes opened. Please send us info on how to donate to your work.

July 9, 2010

What a contrast.
Remember when Israel stopped the protest flotilla? (31 May) Sadly 9 protestors were killed battling with soldiers. The next day (1 June) the UN condemned Israel, The Times - HERE
The UN Secretary-General said he was shocked by the killings and demanded answers urgently. The UN Security Council demanded an explanation. In “outrage” the Security Council members broke off from their “spring holiday” and held an emergency session calling for a ‘prompt, impartial, credible, transparent’ investigation.
In contrast to that on March 26th a South Korean boat was sunk and 46 were killed. The UN calmly undertook a careful detailed enquiry lasting a month. Finally last Thursday they “reached agreement on the text” of a statement. A ‘draft statement’ that “stops short of directly blaming North Korea”. In fact it doesn't identify who is responsible, or “have the clout of resolutions”, it just goes “on record” and nicely “emphasizes the need to maintain peace and stability in the larger region”. What a contrast.

July 9, 2010

Subject — The brainwashing of NZ,
I spend a part of each year in NZ. It's a beautiful country with friendly and warm people. But I was appalled by the virulent anti-Israel bias in its newspapers and TV. I was however not surprised about the Israel bashing by the NZ Herald after I learned that it is owned by the British Independent which is infamous for its hate of Israel even worse than that by the Guardian.
What explains this unholy alliance by well-meaning liberals and leftists with the most reactionary and right-wing anti-women, homophobic, anti-democratic, and religiously intolerant forces in the world? Aside from antisemitism coming out of the closet and becoming acceptable in polite society, I think these are some of the most important factors. (1) They think that the conflict is between mighty Israel and the pitiful Palestinian underdogs when it actually is between tiny beleaguered Israel and the Muslim world helped by petro-power money. (2) They think that the continuation of the Occupation is Israel's fault even though Israel has offered to end the occupation many times and has been rebuffed by its enemies again and again since their agenda is to liberate Israel from the Jews. (3) They don't understand that the conflict is not about who will win but about the survival of Israel since the Arabs can lose many wars but Israel is finished if it loses one. (4) In a sort of patronizing and reverse racism, they give a pass to the brutal violations in many Arab states and by the Islamists of the values of the Enlightenment because after all they are but 3rd World people. Thus they will be outraged by the building of a few apartments in Jerusalem while ignoring that Jews are not allowed to own land in Jordan, that the Palestinian Authority (the moderate one) has enacted a death penalty against any one who sells land to Jews. (5) Their hearts go out to the 5 million Palestinian refugees even though there are only about 100,000 with the others being the descendants of refugees kept in a dependency trap to conspire to destroy Israel--and while even more Jewish refugees were driven out of the Arab states in a prrimitive revenge action.

July 05, 2010 3:27 PM (Abridged)

Keep up the good work. The blind, irrational hatred of Israel has a spiritual element that many are not aware of.
I have met some that have never been to the Middle East, or ever met a Jew for that matter, but are nevertheless, prepared to blame the Jew for all of the problems.
They have no evidence to support their anti-Semitism other than ‘Everybody knows that it's true’, or words to that effect.
When someone believes something that is contrary to common sense, and has no supporting evidence, they are believing by faith, and it has to be religious.
They have unwittingly chosen the wrong religion, and they have picked a fight.

June 12, 2010 (Abridged)

Congratulations!
It was great to discover you — What you are doing is awesome, and we admire the balanced statements you make!
Thankyou for all the work and cost you put into this Project.
It is such a relief to find another channel for seeking to give the correct story regarding the M.E. and Israel in particular.
We are not in a position to be able to support you with money, but in the course of our on-going projects, we also are seeking to bring the facts before our contacts, simply as a Christian, (evangelical, inter-church, non-profit, PRAYER & INFO) Group in N.Z.
Sadly we see some serious issues looming, even this year regarding the tensions created by the Iranian powers, that may need all your skills to explain, which makes us even more satisfied that you have so nobly taken on this mandate on behalf of promoting the TRUTH in N.Z.
You are just GR8 ! (To borrow another ‘language’!)

June 10, 2010

Hello,
Please find below a letter submitted to the New Zealand Herald last Sunday, but it has not been published.
If you find it suitable, you may use this information in your next paid advertisement/website.
The big plan of Gaza's ‘aid’ stars
Manipulation and provocation have stained the Turkish State for a century. Failed by its own intelligence apparatus in September 1955, Turkish society embraced the targeting of non-Muslims, resulting in the exodus of thousands of Christians following Ataturk's house bombing. Fast forward to 2010, Western criticism on the accord with Iran is masterfully sidetracked by Turkish support for the IHH.
IHH seeks to combine a superficial commitment to ‘human rights’ with support for Islamist militancy and world supremacy. Go no further than the IHH official website. In a report entitled ‘Islam rising in Brazil’ ( www.ihh.org.tr/12967/en/ ), the ambitious goal of turning Muslims into the majority group in this country is openly declared.
IHH has read the context of the early 21st century well. Reaction to the events surrounding the Gaza flotilla reflects the growing divide between the real Middle East, and a ‘virtual’ conflict conjured up by Islamist propagandists for consumption by the West. Many AP correspondents are excelling at perpetrating this ‘virtual’ conflict. In ‘Gaza's aid star has big plans’, the Turkish IHH core agenda is omitted.
Meanwhile, the winners are Teheran and its allies. Enriching Iranian uranium proceeds quietly, while the world remains diverted by the Gaza flotilla spectacle.

June 7, 2010

Hi There
Subsequent to my email I sent to you yesterday, I have been encouraged by ----- --------- (a close friend) to write to the NZ Herald. Whether this letter will be published I have my doubts. Nevertheless, I'm certainly sending it into the Editor. The letter is as follows:

Dear Sir/Madam,
The recent protests and hatred leveled against Israel in the news media should be a source of deep concern for New Zealand. I believe we are being duped and deceived by a group of totalitarian left wing fanatics who are propounding assertions that are demonstrably irrational.

These leftists take Israel, a nation that has been under constant and consistent exterminatory attack for at least eight decades and then insist that Israel make all sorts of concessions and compromises with its attackers, even as these attackers continue to rain down rockets on Jerusalem and call for Israel's complete annihilation. If anyone (especially Israel) dares to protest at the misrepresentations, the injustice, the lies and the outright bigotry in this unique delegitimization, they find themselves harangued, ridiculed, bullied and muzzled.

My question is this: Where does all this hatred for Israel come from? Why doesn't Keith Locke and his gang protest just as vociferously against the humanitarian disaster in Zimbabwe or against the 20 year genocidal massacre of Christians in the Sudan? Isn't singling out Israel a rather inconsistent, selective and arbitrary thing?

Even more seriously; to what end will all this undisguised hatred for Israel engender? Are we going to boycott Jewish shops and goods? Force them to wear the Star of David? Burn the synagogues? Instead of throwing shoes, are we going to throw stones through shop windows and have another ‘Night of Broken Glass?’ Maybe Keith Locke will come up with a proposal for a ‘Final Solution to the Jewish Problem.’

Think very carefully New Zealand. The road to Auschwitz is a road we really don't want to go down. And if we choose so to do, then we do it at our own peril.

June 6, 2010

Dear KBRM,
I am a Gentile Biblical Christian who believes unashamedly in God's redemptive promises to Israel. I have also spent much of my life researching and studying the Nazi Holocaust. Having watched the news media over this past week I am once struck by how utterly irrational and deranged the Western world has become. It is almost as if the West has been given over to a ‘strong delusion’ where truth and lies, right and wrong, victims and aggressors have all been turned on their head and we have ended up calling good evil and evil good.
The vilification of Israel this past week proves the point.
My family and I stand behind Israel all the way and we will will continue to pray daily for the peace of Jerusalem.
Thank you for all the work that you are doing and I pray that the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob will continue to prosper this important work.

June 3, 2010

When reading Chris Trotters article we automatically begin to draw a somewhat misguided picture in our minds. We are lead to believe that out of the Holocaust came millions of angry Jews ready to claim the land they had that they decided should be theirs. However I would like to make a few facts known that Chris seemed to conveniently leave out. Before the Holocaust began and long before it finished Jews were emigrating to Israel and under the British Mandate, beginning to build their country. The Balfour Declaration was signed in 1917 and ‘His Majesty's government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavors to facilitate the achievement of this object.’

Trotter would have us believe that in 1948, when Israel declared independence it was on ‘ruined properties and ravaged lives’. However, when Israel was partitioned in 1948 there was a Palestinian state as well. Trotter seems to suitably leave out that in fact the Israel we know today was split into two parts, for Palestinians and for Israelis, and Jerusalem was international territory. The apparently ‘bloodthirsty’ Israelis declared their independence on the land they had been given and instead of the Palestinians doing the same, all the surrounding Arab nations invaded, it seems that Chris has gotten confused as to who was bloodthirsty then? I will confess that Israel fought back and since then has been fighting ever since to maintain the land that they have made their home. I would also like to point out that the Arab nations surrounding Israel were quick to encourage the Palestinians to ‘fight for their land’ but were not so hasty to assimilate them into their own community.

Finally, it seems clear to me that those who have lost their souls are not the Israelis, I believe that it is people like Chris who so easily forget to include both sides. Yes, the hundreds of Palestinians who die each day due to over population is horrific, yes the Israel-Palestine conflict is hugely controversial and has many different layers, but I believe that it is important to remember that there are always two sides to every story. I believe that the future of Israel and Palestine will not be helped by narrow minded people who instead of attempting to fuel peace, fuel hate. To say a nation who has been preventing many of their neighbours from ‘driving them into the sea’ has lost its soul, is just another way to make the way to a peaceful agreement slip further away. I see Chris as a leftist who obviously doesn't understand that to begin peace we cannot start with hate as Chris is so eager to plant into every reader his article. _________)?

June 2, 2010

Dear Sir,
Just writing in support of your good work. As well I am aware of the manipulation of news both by the media and Palestinian Hamas of the recent events with the gaza flotilla. I would like to know more about your work and organization.

May 24, 2010

Enclosed please find cheque for $500 to further help your important cause. I recently wrote to the Zionist Federation of New Zealand and asked if your group had taken over the function of the federation, to date no reply!!
Congratulations on doing a wonderful job.

The above letter was unusual because of the size of the contribution. However we have received many contributions, some as small as $20, and they all go toward our advertisements. The following response was sent: ‘Thank you for your very generous contribution. It will help pay for our next ad, which will appear in the middle of June. I should point out that KBRM has no connection with the Zionist Federation of New Zealand or any other Zionist Federation, nor is our purpose to promote Israel. Our mission is simply to correct the many lies and supply the missing truths about Israel (and about KBRM) that are so prevalent in NZ media. Thanks again.’

May 20, 2010 (Abridged)

I am sceptical of our (inter)national press, am often amazed at the gullibility of us NZers, and am appalled at our appetite for sensational ‘news’.
I am sorry that you have had to pay for the ‘privilege’ of having your voice heard.

May 18, 2010

Both my wife and I were very excited to see your advertisement in today's Herald. We are NZdrs who have been living overseas for the past 13 years and just spent the last 4 months back here reconnecting. When we left NZ we knew nothing about Israel except that it was mentioned in the Bible. In Oct of 2000 we took a small tour and have been back every year since then. In the last three years we have been leading tour groups into ‘The Land’, mainly Kiwis and Americans. For the Kiwis it has been a life changing experience and they have returned home with eyes opened and new insight.
We have been very concerned about the one sided reporting of the conflicts and the anti Israelis attitude here in NZ and have endeavoured to bring some truth wherever we have had the opportunity. It has been very upsetting to see the likes of this Minto fellow get so much press. So, good on you guys.

May 16, 2010

Thank you for your response to my enquiry re negotiations. I am not Jewish, but I am really feeling sorry for people caught in their situation.
I do wish all people in Israel a life of peace and happiness. Best of luck to you, and thanks again for the answer to my question.

April 24, 2010 (abridged)

Very warm greetings. I am a 60 year old Christian, originally from Niue. I have written a letter to the Dominion Post after seeing your ad this week. I would like to congratulate you you for the difficult task you are doing. The hatred and smear tactics aimed at Israel is nothing new. It is deep rooted, full of lies and all devilish.

Israel is so special, precious and uniqe, not only to the Jews but to the whole world as well through the father of All Nations Abraham. It is the only piece of real estate that is called and widely known as the Holy Land. It is very sad that the whole world has turned a blind eye to facts and truth, but should we be totally surprised] No, not at all. Nearly everyone has been silenced by barrels of Arab oil.

Keep up your good works.

May 18, 2010

Thank you for placing the advertisements in "The Dominion Post" periodically in an attempt to correct the biased and misleading reporting that so often goes on with respect to Israel. I receive a number of publications either from Israel or from organisations sympathetic to Israel, but for people without access to that side of the news, they can be deceived by the utter lies and shallow reports dished up. People in New Zealand and elsewhere need to understand the Muslim doctrine of taqqiyah (telling lies is morally acceptable to promote their cause). Unfortunately many people don't care about truth any more.
Websites like Honest Reporting are helpful in getting the other side of some stories. Having now looked at your website for the first time, I will make a point of viewing it more regularly.

May 18, 2010

I've just finished reading your ‘advertisement’ in today's edition of the Dominion Post and even halfway through I was thinking Hallelujah! At last the other side of the argument. I often despair when our television news covers anything to do with Israel/ Palestine — because I can almost predict exactly what will be published in the following days broadsheets.
History and politics are an ongoing interest of mine and I'm often dumbstruck by the level of ignorance (either accidental or intentional) that is displayed by New Zealand's various media vis-a-vis Israel. It's a telling indictment on the New Zealand media that you have to pay to take out an ‘advertisement’ in order for the other half of the story to be told.
I've already saved your website as one of my favourites and shall be sure to visit regularly. Your work is greatly appreciated.

May 18, 2010 (edited)

Hello dear people who stand for the truth!
It is in itself already amazing that some NZ newspapers allowed your ads to be printed in their papers!....
You guys are doing a great job telling the people the truth about Israel and especially Jerusalem!
By the way, the northern newspaper 'The Advocate' does try to tell people the truth about Israel. We haven't seen articles yet taking over from British papers. Continue the good work!
God bless!

May 10, 2010 (edited)

I would just like to say I always look forward to reading what you have to say on Israel, you get the feeling that the world is blind and dumb — and this is from people that think they are Middle East Experts!

I am from Dunedin... I'm not sure why our local paper prints so much misinformation on Israel... But I guess like so many (papers) in NZ, they get information from a central source and write very little on a personal reporter level.

I have tried to get a more balanced view across in the form of letters to the editor myself. Recently I wrote a letter regarding Jerusalem and how the Israelis gave up land, but it was no big surprise that peace never followed.

April 24, 2010 (edited)

I happened to open the NZ herald for the first time in a number of years last week and caught your article re balanced reporting on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.

It was a good article and I applaud you and your team for the effort, time and money that has gone into this article and the ongoing support you have for this cause.

I have forwarded your web details to a number of people whom I know will support your cause for balanced and honest coverage. I personally believe that a lot of people will not and do not understand the history of Israel and why this conflict will continue. Unfortunately there are some very biased people with unsavory motives who are blind not only from a Scriptural point of view but from an ethical and moral stand point.

April 24, 2010 (edited)

Very warm greetings. I am a 60 year old Christian, originally from Niue. I have written a letter to the Dominion Post after seeing your ad this week. I would like to congratulate you you for the difficult task you are doing. The hatred and smear tactics aimed at Israel is nothing new. It is deep rooted, full of lies and all devilish.

Israel is so special, precious and uniqe, not only to the Jews but to the whole world as well through the father of All Nations Abraham. It is the only piece of real estate that is called and widely known as the Holy Land. It is very sad that the whole world has turned a blind eye to facts and truth, but should we be totally surprised] No, not at all. Nearly everyone has been silenced by barrels of Arab oil.

Keep up your good works.

April 23, 2010

I read your recent article in the Dominion with interest and this lead me to your website.
I note you talk about members, how does one become a member.
I am not Jewish but have a very close friend who is living in Israel, she keeps me informed of news and helps my understanding.
By becoming a member I can further assist and develop my understanding and thus be more supportive of my dear friend.
Thank You.

April 23, 2010

Hi, A friend showed me your advertisement. It is very good. I could add other facts in support of Israel, but I know you had to limit your ad. As you stated in your ad. the bias since last years gaza episode has been particularly bad. I have been a Christian since 1980. I feel there is a satanic spiritual hardening of Gentiles against the State of Israel (anti-semitism in another guise).
Last year I bought an Israeli flag for $18 at Arthur's Emporium in Whangarei. I have it folded on my dashboard — showing blue and white. On Israel's Independence Day I displayed the colours on the inside front of my school bus. I would like Christians, in fact all those who support Israel, to display those colours on (or from inside) their vehicle. It would be good if organisations such as yours gave presentations at churches, etc.

April 22, 2010

This is just to say that the advertisement you place in the Herald was really exciting to see. Would you like a donation toward that or is that a silly question?

April 22, 2010

I read the Gaza item, and now the letter referring to Jerusalem.
It is difficult to precis so complex a history, but I think you did it well, and it soothed my heart somewhat to read a letter positive about Israel.
I identify as Jewish, but am a life-long atheist [now 70yo]. I have read widely concerning Jewish history and experience.
It is deep knowledge to me that Jewish involvement/habitation of the land of Israel has been for about 4,000 years.
I understand the feeling of the Zionists who worked for a modern State of Israel. This is the one country where Jewish culture and presence is the accepted rule, rather than just tolerated — so often just temporarily.
I see how tiny is the land of Israel, and how vast are the Muslim countries [dedicated to its destruction] which surround it.
I forgive the vigour of the defence of the land and people, while regetting deeply the destruction of infrastructure and the pain and suffering of innocent Palestinians.What else can they do!
I do support a two-State solution, considering the possibility of at least part of East Jerusalem being the Capital of the Palestinian state. But if Arabs can live in Israel and be Israeli citizens, so should Jews who choose this, be able to live as now in the West Bank regions but as Jewish Palestinians.
Anti-Israel is, I am certain, a ‘reasonable’ face of anti-semitism.
I note that those of the Green and Left persuasion [whose predecessors so admired Kibbutzim etc], who seem filled with hate for Israel, date their critiques of Israel from 1967 ... they seem to acknowledge no prior Jewish fully legitimate presence there.
I recommend ‘The Case For Israel’ by Alan Dershowitz.
I will send a cheque [$25.00] in support, to help defray your expenses.
Thank you

April 21, 2010

Good Morning,
I have been reading your newspaper articles & website for a while and am very impressed! I have long felt a sympathy for the Jewish people and am getting fed up with the one-sided media reports. How do I become a member?

April 20, 2010 (edited)

Hello KBRM
Thank you for the ‘Advertisement’ Jerusalem — The Missing Truth in the ‘The Dominion Pos’" on Tuesday April 20, 2010. What a breath of fresh air for a change. Pity it had to be labeled ‘Advertisement’ when it was a report of factual statements of the history of Jerusalem. But I suppose ‘The Dominion Post’ would not have printed it in any other way! Keep up the good work.

April 20, 2010

Thank you for voicing the in-balance of NZ reporting in the media regarding the Nation of the Book the People of the Book.
Keep up your call from Hashem

April 20, 2010 (edited)

I am a 22 year old Israeli. I arrived in NZ 4 months ago and was shocked by the unbalanced news reporting in the country and how misjudging the Kiwis are of the situation in the Middle East.
Obviously this matter really bothers me. I did know how bad and twisted Israel's image is before coming to NZ.
I really adore you for your great work and for fighting the press and posting an article as an ad.
I really want to help. I'll check if I can help financially. And how else can I help?
I work in a full time job here. Originally I'm from the west Galilee in Israel. On last November I finished 3 years army duty as a commander and fighter.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Best Regards, and keep up the good work.

March 22, 2010

I am married to a Kiwi and spend February in NZ every year. I too have been shocked by the imbalance of reporting and what I believe to be blatant anti-Semitism of NZ reporters, especially the Listener. While I have written numerous letters to their Editor over the years, none of them have been published. What you are doing is essential and good. I am willing to donate money to your cause, please let me know how I can go about this. Do you have a Paypal account or some other on-line method? Absent that, I can send you a check of course, but would need a full address that I can send from overseas. If you ever need help editing an article or advertisement, I am one heck of an editor and would be willing to help. Keep up the great work!