On Sunday, the Jerusalem municipality issued this announcement (via UK Media Watch):
Today (Sunday), the Local Building and Planning Committee in Jerusalem approved the construction of 671 housing units in various neighborhoods whose approval had been delayed for several weeks: 324 units in Ramot, 174 units in Ramat Shlomo, 68 units in Pisgat Ze’ev, 49 units in Beit Hanina, 14 units in Wadi Joz, 24 units in Umm Lison and Umm Tuba, 7 units Jabel Mukaber, 4 units in Beit Safafa, 3 units in Sur Baher and 4 units in A-Tur. Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat said: “The past eight years have been difficult with pressure from the Obama administration to freeze construction. While the Jerusalem Municipality did not freeze construction, pressure from the American government meant that national approval was often not granted, and sometimes the publication of new plans was delayed. I believe that we are entering a new era, in which we will be able to continue to build and develop the city for the benefit of all residents, Jews and Arabs alike, This will enable us to the right thing – to strengthen our sovereignty, to provide housing solutions for young people, and to develop Jerusalem – Israel’s indivisible capital.”
667 units were approved, 566 in existing Jewish neighborhoods and 101 in Arab neighborhoods.
The mainstream media has a meme that Israel only approves “Jewish” settlement construction and withholds any approvals for Arab homes in Jerusalem. We’ve seen before how the media and diplomats ignore the approvals in Arab neighborhoods, or even count them as “illegal settlements.” How did they report on this story?
UK Media Watch reported on British media. How about everyone else?
Reuters ignores the Arab homes, but it clearly read the announcement because it quoted Barkat:
Jerusalem’s City Hall approved the building permits for more than 560 units in the urban settlements of Pisgat Zeev, Ramat Shlomo and Ramot, areas annexed to Jerusalem in a move unrecognised internationally.
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat said in a statement that the eight years of the Obama administration had been “difficult with pressure … to freeze construction” but that Israel is now entering a new era.
Germany’s DW.com said “Israel approves 566 new homes in east Jerusalem settlements,” ignoring the Arab homes.
Vox ignored the Arab homes.
Russia’s RT.com said “Israel approves 560 new illegal homes in E. Jerusalem as Trump takes office.”
Haaretz‘ headline said,”After Trump’s Swearing-in, Jerusalem Approves 566 Homes Beyond Green Line.” No, it approved 667 homes. In the article it mentioned the Arab homes.
Most outrageously, the Jerusalem Post had the worst headline: “JERUSALEM MUNICIPALITY APPROVES 560 ISRAELI HOMES OVER GREEN LINE.” No, it approved 667 Israeli homes. It did report on the Arab homes in the article.
Israeli newspapers have given license for world media to distinguish between homes built for Muslim and Christian residents of Jerusalem and homes built for Jewish residents. Not that world media and leaders need the excuse.
The same government approves both kinds of homes. The only difference is that homes built for Jews are “illegal” and homes built for Arabs, including Israeli Arabs, are considered both legal and not worth reporting.
Because reporting the truth would upset the overarching narrative of Israeli evil and subjugation of Arabs. And in this era of fake news and “alternative facts,” some facts are simply too inconvenient to bother reporting.
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