(Molly Bruns, Headline USA) The New York Times has received flack for publishing an indulgent 5,000 word profile on “Squad” member Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich,m that accuses her pro-Israel critics of viciousness, NewsBusters reported.
The piece breezes through Tlaib’s childhood in Detroit, discussing her relationship with her father, early career and growing interest in politics before reaching her political career.
Tlaib has made her feelings on Israel very clear, both vocally and in her voting record, and has often made claims suggesting support of Palestine is a patriotic duty of American citizens.
“Tlaib has been criticized, sometimes viciously, by Republicans and pro-Israel Democrats for calling Israel an ‘apartheid regime,'” the article reads, “and for her support of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, which aims to end military occupation by exerting economic pressure on Israel.”
When Tlaib voted against Israel’s Iron Dome defense, she doubled-down on the “apartheid” rhetoric, drawing bipartisan criticism.
But historically, Tlaib has drawn nothing but positive, rosy coverage from the New York Times.
Author Rozina Ali, who is writing a book about the history of “Islamophobia,” cherrypicks historical events, painting Israel as a bully and excluding stories of Palestinian terrorism within Israel, sympathizing with Tlaib every step of the way.
Historically, the New York Times has stepped lightly around Israel’s international relationships.
Reacting to the profile of Tlaib, many have pointed out that the Times‘ coverage of Adolf Hitler’s “Final Solution” was also rather light.
“No American newspaper was better positioned to highlight the Holocaust than the Times, and no American newspaper so influenced public discourse by its failure to do so,” said journalism professor Laura Leff.
There is a great deal of speculation as to why the Times editors left the stories of the Holocaust out of print—suspected propaganda, newsroom politics, poor judgement, or fear of stigma are all possibilities.
