New York Times Understands Blaming Israel For Arab Woes

In Egypt, Israel was also widely blamed for the bombing attacks in Taba and Sharm el Sheik over the last year, and for the recent sectarian violence between Coptic Christians and Muslims in Alexandria. In Syria, officials at the highest levels of the government have blamed Israel for killing Rafik Hariri, the former Lebanese prime minister.

While it appears that most Jordanians have accepted that Mr. Zarqawi was involved - with many saying they are sickened by his actions - there is little criticism for those who scapegoat Israel. A former prime minister, Tahir Masri, who said it was clear that Israel was not involved in this attack, said he understood why so many people blame Israel.

"You have to understand, Baghdad was the capital for Arabs and Muslims for 1,000 years," Mr. Masri said. "It is occupied by Americans now. Jerusalem and Baghdad are both occupied. It is too much for ordinary people to bear. If you add to it the misery that people are facing because of the lack of democracy and humiliation by their rulers, that kind of scapegoat we have to have."

Whether it is the Sharm el Sheik bombings or the assassination of Mr. Hariri, the theory is almost always premised on two ideas. The first is a logic that says those who benefit must be behind the deed.

Israel is behind all the woes of the entire Arab and Muslim world. Look at 9/11 and how it is portrayed in Muslim circles and it always comes back to Israeli involvement. The rumor of how Jews stayed home from the WTC on 9/11. All pure unadulterated BS and anti-Semitism rearing its ugly head.

Yet, the NYT wants people to believe that there's a good reason for blaming Israel, or at least understanding why Israel is blamed.

Sorry, but there's no good reason for Israel being blamed except that the press in the Middle East and throughout the Muslim/Arab countries is highly restricted and controlled by the government. Any time that things are going poorly, the totalitarian dictators can toss out the Israel card.

Bad economy? Blame Israel
High unemployment? Blame Israel
Saudi Arabia has US soldiers in it? Blame Israel
Baghdad has US soldiers in it? Blame Israel

Everything you can think of is traced back to Israel. Despite the fact that Saudi Arabia asked for US soldiers to protect it from Saddam Hussein in 1990 and that Saddam Hussein's actions required US forces to overthrow his despotic regime, Israel is somehow behind the attacks.

High unemployment and wretched conditions of Palestinians are blamed on Israel despite the fact that the Palestinians have never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity. The Palestinian leadership is a kleptocracy through and through, and incite terrorists to attack regularly during the Friday sermons. Yet, when Israel takes action to defend itself, it's perceived as the aggressor.