Fateful Triangle

Peace for Galilee558contaminated the results.242. Daniel Southerland, Christian Science Monitor, Nov. 19, 1982.243. Martin Peretz, “Lebanon Eyewitness.”244. It can easily be extended. Consider, for example, Peretz’s statement (NewRepublic, March 31. 1982) that “We axiomatically print letters fromorganizations and individuals criticized in our pages.” In fact, Peretzregularly intervenes to prevent publication of responses to his slanders, apractice on the part of an owner-editor that reveals an unusual degree ofmoral cowardice. For two such examples, see the introduction by C. P.Otero, editor of my essays in Radical Priorities (Black Rose, Montreal,1981). pp. 15, 51.245. Pail, “A Military Analysis.”246. Lily Galili, interview, Ha’aretz, Dec. 9, 1982. As a journalist of integrity,he refused. Peretz is presented here as a “Professor of Political Science atHarvard”—which is false—and a critic of Begin—which is correct; heexplains that Begin’s “style, manner of speaking, and the contents ofwhat he says” are difficult to defend in an American context, whichcauses problems for supporters of Israel. It will also be difficult to “defendthe annexation of the West Bank.” As for Peace Now, Peretz speaks quitedisparagingly, though he has “sympathy for them.” It has perhaps 2000American supporters, he says: “radical politics [Peace Now?] in theUnited States is bankrupt.”247. Emphasis added. Martin Peretz, “Usual Suspects,” New Republic, July12, 1982; Boston Globe, June 27, 1982. Peretz’s revision of the ad waspointed out by Alexander Cockburn in the Village Voice, eliciting noresponse, though perhaps the subsequent reference to Cockburn as“despicable,” “a nasty piece of work,” etc.. is to be understood as theresponse, a characteristic one for this type of journalism.248. “An Anti-Defamation League of B’nai Brith Study: Television NetworkCoverage of the War in Lebanon,” released October 21, 1982.249. Tony Schwartz, “A. D. L. Criticizes TV Over Coverage of Lebanon,” NewYork Times, Oct. 21, 1982.250. Leon Hadar, “Covering the War,” Jerusalem Post, Aug. 2, 1982. Frank isidentified as the son of a prominent American Labor Zionist leader.Classics in Politics: The Fateful TriangleNoam Chomsky