The New York Times Learns Arabic

The New York Times is legendary for it's coverage of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Some might even say, notorious. Whether one is on the right or the left, everyone has something bad to say. For over two decades, Americans have fiercely debated whether their most outwardly-looking newspaper will ever get it right. Meaning, whether it will ever report on the conflict in a non- partisan way, that is neither predisposed towards Israeli interests, nor prejudiced against Palestinians.

Chief amongst liberal criticisms is former deputy foreign editor Ethan Bronner, who is frequently criticized for being too overtly biased against Arab and Palestinian concerns in favor of right-wing Israeli ones. Though Bronner's work can indeed read that way, there are moments when the legendary journalist seems like he knows that there's another side, but that, for one reason or another, he just can't go that necessary extra mile.

That's why, in today's New York Times, an article by Bronner on the plight of Israel's Arab community is a seriously welcome surprise. Explaining at length, the community's disenfranchisement, it's increasing number of demands for equality and respect, and it's growing importance to Israeli society as a whole, the article has sent shock waves throughout the United States today. Not only because Bronner wrote it, because the New York Times chose to run it as well.

To read Bronner's piece, click here.