For years many of us have questioned the objectivity, the honesty and the agenda of the New York Times bureau chief in the Middle East , Steve Erlanger. Pat Connors more than anyone else has chronicled the litany of distorted reporting from Steve and the NYT when it comes to the issue of Israel/Palestine.

Nothing exposes bias better however, than an off the cuff comment during an interview. One doesn’t have the time to cloud it with innuendo which is much more difficult to expose. In a recent interview on The News Hour about the success of Hamas in securing the release of Alan Johnston, Steve does just that.

He refers to the Midle East tradition of kidnapping.

I wonder if he’s referring to the 10,000 or so Palestinians who have been kidnapped by the Israeli army. Or maybe he’s referring to the US practice of kidnapping Muslims around the world for the new policy of extraordinary rendition. But I doubt it.

The examples of his biased reporting are extensive and I will expand on it below over time. Right now I just want to get the video posted.

AP

Israel settlement breaks promise to U.S.

JERUSALEM - Israel has approved a new settlement in the West Bank to house former Jewish settlers from the Gaza Strip, officials said Tuesday, breaking a promise to the U.S. to halt home construction in the Palestinian territories.

Construction in the northern West Bank town of Maskiot began months ago, but the project only received final approval from the Defense Ministry last week, said Dubi Tal, head of the Jordan Valley regional council.

Democracy Now: Only broadcaster to report.

State Dept. Rebukes Israel Over Settlement Construction
Meanwhile, the Israeli’s government’s plan to build a new settlement inside the West Bank has drawn rare criticism from the Bush administration. On Wednesday, the State Department said the new settlement would violate existing agreements and harm future peace negotiations.

NYT

Pressed by Washington to help build up Mr. Abbas, Mr. Olmert last week promised to give him $100 million in Palestinian funds withheld by Israel, about 20 percent of the amount being held, but only for humanitarian purposes. Abbas aides, however, say the money will be used to strengthen his Fatah movement and pay salaries to Fatah loyalists. Mr. Olmert also promised to dismantle 27 of the 400 or so checkpoints in the West Bank, despite criticism by the Israeli commander of the region.