Hezbollah, New York Times Taken Aback by 'Ferocity' of Israel's Response

A “news analysis” Wednesday by Middle East based Times reporter Neil MacFarquhar, “Why Syria Has Much to Lose If Hezbollah Is Finally Halted,” has this odd description of Israel’s counterattack:

“The consensus here is that Iran, Syria and Hezbollah were all taken aback by the ferocity of Israel’s response to the capture of two soldiers; the seizure seemed to fall within the unspoken rules of limited engagements. Similar operations had prompted prisoner exchanges in the past, the current demand by Hezbollah for ending the fighting.”

“Ferocity” is an interesting word to use for Israel's response to what was not only a kidnapping (not “capture”) of two soldiers, but the killing of three other soldiers (previous news accounts said eight soldiers) in that same unlawful incursion into Israel. Israel's response was ferocious only in comparison to giving in to demands by the terrorist group Hezbollah.

For more examples of New York Times bias, visit Times Watch.