Stories in which both Israelis and Palestinians appeared together in debate have been heard seven times. It has been my experience that, for some listeners, the credentials of some of those interviewed will always be suspect simply because they do not share those views. Some critics insist that the Palestinians' real aims are the destruction of Israel and that NPR has failed to report that sufficiently. I think NPR needs to report more fully on the political background that underlies the conflict. In the press of urgent daily news, it is sometimes possible for a news organization to leave the longer contextual story for later.
Deadlines are immediate and the news appetite is unceasing.