Israel Disappointed Over Indonesian Publication

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The Israeli government said they were very disappointed with the way the Indonesian media has reported the Zionist country's aggression on Gaza.

"I think almost all of the Indonesian media have been very unfair every time they report the news on Israel," Israeli Ambassador to Singapore, Ilan Ben Dov, told Tempo on his cellular phone. He admitted there were some reports that were fair, but he refused to name them.

Most of the Indonesian media condemned Israel's attack on Gaza. Under the pretext of fighting against Hamas, their war machines have killed almost 900 people, including 260 children and 100 women.

Ben Dov regards the Indonesian media as unprofessional. He said he had a disappointing personal experience. He tried sending his views to a few leading media in the country many times, but they were always rejected.

In principle, Ben said, Israel is not disappointed with the negative news. He cited foreign pro-Palestine media, such as the Herald Tribune. "But at least they still provide space Israeli viewpoints," Ben Dov said.

Ben hopes the policy will change. Otherwise, there can be no real democracy in the Indonesian media. "The Indonesian media should be balanced when two parties conflict. Let the readers judge for themselves," he said.

So far, Israel has not allowed journalists to cover the news directly from the battlefield. Yet, the country's Supreme Court ordered its military to provide journalists access to the conflict area on Friday last week.