Letters/Discussion Forums
Misreporting can have serious consequences
The individual replies of MPs Michael Bagraim and Darren Bergman and Jack Bloom, Gauteng MPL, in answer to my letter of July 13 (about a purported remark critical of a two-state solution for the Mideast made by DA leader Mmusi Maimane at Bloom’s book launch) refer. My letter was not intended as an election issue, if that is how Bergman understood it.
Dr Bryna Lewis
My objection to Maimane’s remark, as printed in The Sowetan, was not to the DA as a proponent of a two-state solution to the Israel/Palestine problem, as indicated by my “general consensus”. I mentioned the fact to put his second remark in context. My objection was to Maimane’s imputed (Mr Bagraim’s “absolutely incorrect”) statement that the Jewish community’s position is “narrow and fundamentalist”.
Such a derogatory pronouncement can only worsen the perception of Jews in the eyes of The Sowetan’s readers. This is deeply regrettable, as we have enough enemies in the broader community, to say nothing of individual Jews, and is not merely “a storm in a teacup” as Jack Bloom thinks. The reporter should be told of the serious implication of his error, in the hopes that he will be more careful in future.
Port Elizabeth
David Abel
July 30, 2015 at 2:13 pm
‘Dr Bryna Lewis is to be complimented for putting the record straight in The Sowetan. We need the Jewish/Zionist voice to be heard within the broader community – especially when our dignity and honour is impinged.’