But we can only guess who might come after the aging, ailing Arafat. Never have the Arabic-language press s taboos been more of an impediment to our grasp of the region s conundrums. I ll step into that minefield by comparing Arab journalists self-censorship with Israel s press culture. As a matter of quotidian course in the hurly-burly of Israeli civil society, journalists of every ideological stripe routinely scrutinize, exhort, and excoriate their political and religious leaders and one another. I say this fully aware that Israeli journalists have their own blind spots and reflexive prejudices, not to mention institutionalized acceptance of state-imposed restrictions and military censorship.
Palestinian journalists ply their craft in a harsh environment.
They get whip-sawed between their own government s repressive policies toward the press and the Israeli authorities punitive, often arbitrary controls on their freedom to work, even their freedom of movement. Covering clashes between Israelis and Palestinians, they risk grave danger from Israeli settlers, soldiers, and police. Given these obstacles, no one can fault individual Palestinian journalists or publications for their studied indirection on vital issues. There is much to spark fury, frustration, and despair among those who yearn for peace between Israel and its neighbors. Successive Israeli governments missteps and accommodations to extremists in their midst litter the road to the current bleak moment.