June 1, 2011
To the Editor,
As we prepare news stories today about Jerusalem Day, no background news story would be complete without adding one sentence, which is that Jews were forbidden entrance to the Old City of Jerusalem, including the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem, between 1949 and 1967, during which time all 57 synagogues in and around the old city of Jerusalem were destroyed.
Without mentioning that context, it is hard to understand the celebration of Jerusalem Day.
A new generation in Israel has forgotten this trauma and a new generation of reporters in Israel, including Israeli reporters, neglect to report this.
The new Palestinian Authority Ministry of Tourism map, which we have in our office, published in 2010. shows the Old City of Jerusalem, without any Jewish Quarter.
David Bedein
Director
Israel Resource News Agency
Center for Near East Policy Research
Beit Agron International Press Center
www.israelbehindthenews.com