In a usual New York Times distortion of facts, an Op-ed on convicted terrorist Marwan Barghouti, who is serving five life sentences for his actions, neglected to site his terrorist past. The opinion piece spoke of the hunger strike being led by Barghouti in prison, and only after an international outcry did the newspaper’s editor feel the need to apologize for neglecting to mention he was convicted of acts of terror and serving life sentences.

In his comment on the Times Op-ed, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu stated, “I read, on Sunday, the article in the New York Times that presents arch-terrorist Marwan Barghouti as a ‘parliamentarian and leader’. The paper recanted after we pointed it out to them. Calling Barghouti a ‘political leader’ is like calling Assad a ‘pediatrician.’ They are murderers and terrorists. We will never lose our sense of clarity because we are on the side of justice and they are on the side that is neither just nor moral.

“This moral clarity, the readiness to defend our country, the readiness to fight those who would destroy us, is one of our greatest strengths, alongside love of Israel.

“Love of Israel is expressed in this abundance, this beauty and this heat. We will continue to develop our country and we will continue to safeguard it.

“I would like to wish you all a happy holiday. Enjoy!”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)