A pro-Israel AP spin

Since I have written probably hundreds of posts about the anti-Israel AP spin of articles reporting on events in Israel, here’s one that’s a reverse spin: One that actually, accurately reflects the symbolism of the Neturei Karta nutjobs spending Shabbat in Gaza. (And may I repeat: Ew.)

The first AP headline (and gee, I love the name of that newspaper):

Ultra-Orthodox Jews make rare visit to Gaza

The lead:

A small group of ultra-Orthodox Jews were preparing Friday to celebrate the Jewish Sabbath in Gaza, in an unlikely show of support for Palestinians in the Hamas-run coastal territory.

Note that there is nothing to indicate the fact that the NK are about as relevant to Judaism as your local “homeless” guy begging for food on the town’s busiest street corner is homeless. You don’t find that out until the last two paragraphs.

Neturei Karta, Aramaic for “Guardians of the City,” was founded seven decades ago in Jerusalem by Jews who opposed the drive to establish the state of Israel, believing only the Messiah could do that.

Considered marginal even among ultra-Orthodox Jews, the group’s size is estimated at between a few hundred to a few thousand people.

Perhaps a more knowledgeable reader could explain to me why they use Aramaic instead of Hebrew for their name. Yet another way to disassociate themselves from mainstream Judaism?

Second headline and lead:

Members of fringe Jewish sect spend weekend in Gaza to show support for Palestinians
Several members of an anti-Zionist Jewish sect have spent the Jewish Sabbath in Gaza with some of Israel’s most bitter enemies, the militant Islamic group Hamas.

Better. Even better, the truth about the NK nuts:

Neturei Karta traditionally supports Israel’s enemies – most notably Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whom members hugged at a Holocaust denial conference in 2006.

They are estimated to have up to a few thousand followers and are mostly shunned by mainstream Judaism.

The last, and best, update:

Radical Jewish sect spends Sabbath in Gaza
Several members of an anti-Zionist Jewish sect have spent the Jewish Sabbath in Gaza with some of Israel’s most bitter enemies, the militant Islamic group Hamas.

So, credit where credit is due, and kudos to the AP.

It’s about damned time they told the truth about Israel and Jews.