Protesters Rap Times’ Israel Coverage

Nearly 300 demonstrators, representing several Jewish religious, political and civic groups, marched in front of the Los Angeles Times’ downtown offices Thursday to protest what they said is an anti-Israel editorial stance at the newspaper.

Carrying hand-painted signs that declared that the newspaper’s coverage of Israel “breeds anti-Semitism,” the protesters cheered as issues of the newspaper were shredded and speakers shouted over bullhorns, “Never again.”

In particular, protesters complained of the work of Times editorial cartoonist Paul Conrad. They said some Conrad cartoons were blasphemous and that others contained Jewish stereotypes reminiscent of Nazi propaganda.

Demonstrators also complained about front-page coverage given to the Israeli army shootings during the current Arab uprising in the occupied territories. They said the events do not deserve the amount of coverage and prominent placement that The Times has given stories on the civil unrest.

“Conrad has been exceptionally inflammatory,” said Rabbi Julian White, president of Americans for a Safe Israel. “And the editorials have been emphatically pro-Arab and anti-Israel.”

In a prepared statement, The Times said, “Events in Gaza and the West Bank have aroused intense reactions and divisions both abroad and at home. But, in the news columns of this paper, there is no room for taking sides. The Times has reported on these events fairly and honestly.

“Dan Fisher, our correspondent in Jerusalem, has won the respect of responsible observers here and in Israel for his balanced and thorough reporting. We are proud of his effort.”

Conrad’s cartoons, The Times said, “are often provocative and evoke strong reactions, pro and con. And, indeed, this is the editorial cartoonist’s job--to elicit reaction and in doing so stimulate an evaluation of issues, people and events in the news.”

James D. Boswell, vice president of employee and public relations at The Times, met with two representatives of the protest at the conclusion of the one-hour demonstration.

Among the groups sending representatives to the protest were the Jewish Defense League, Religious Zionists of Los Angeles, Concerned Jewish Youth, Chizuk L’Limud Torah and Yavneh Olami.