Reporter Manufacturing Conflict, Again

Howard Schneider of the Washington Post mentions today Israeli plans to renovate two ancient sacred Jewish sites in Hebron and near Bethlehem, in the disputed West Bank. He says the plans may cause Palestinians to question Netanyahu's willingness to see to the eventual creation of a Palestinian state. Of course, Schneider doesn't quote any Palestinians saying this, which means that he is suggesting it only himself -- in other words, making news instead of reporting it. Strike one.

More importantly, the planned renovations have nothing to do with a Palestinian state, as renovating the sites will not involve land confiscation. Is Schneider, then, suggesting that renovation is counterproductive because the sites -- thousands of years old -- would be demolished upon creation of a Palestinian state? Removing the sites would be outrageous. They should remain and be protected -- by Jews -- regardless of the eventual disposition of the land they sit on. Moreover, the Palestinians ought to be respectful of the sacredness of those sites and welcome the renovations, just as Israel respects the integrity and sovereignty of Muslim sites on land it controls.

Schneider's suggestion of a conflict shows, again, that he always seeks to manufacture excuses to blame Israel for creating friction and trouble. Worse yet, his insistence on doing so is completed unchecked by his editors.