Interesting article… Basically, this is my 2 cents: From a non-political related, individual point of view, Lisa deserves the respect of having the audacity to do what was perhaps thought by many to be the impossible. However, on a more moral, social, and ethical note, it is clear that Lisa has sunk to the lowest and perhaps most abhorrent level to achieve her own personal, self-centered, egotistical ambitions. Yes, I do agree all journalists have a right to come to Lebanon, regardless of their nationality, and I also do not doubt that AlManar and Aljazeera have biased reporting. However, Lisa’s entire reporting is based on a lie, something that rips her of credibility as a journalist, and pits her in the worst category of journalism. Her claims of working for a european/canadian newspaper and also using a false name with candidates clearly breaks the ethical standards of journalism. Her fear of “getting caught” because of her being Israeli is no excuse. Its very simple, actually, she did this for her/Israel’s political ends. This is clear and cannot be disputed. Also, it is clear that she violated Lebanese law as she is an Israeli citizen and is therefore not permissible to enter Lebanese territory under any circumstances. This clearly set in stone. Therefore, her welcome and support from so-called “moderate” Lebanese is completely irrelevant here as she broke the law and Lebanon should, in fact, contact Interpol and send out a warrant for her arrest. Moreover, it is quite obvious that her reporting is erraneous and filled with biases. For instance, she interviewed one individual who claimed only the Hezbollah security square was bombed in what she described as “pinpoint” strikes. So, what about the Chiyah neighborhood that was also bombed by the IAF last summer? Are you telling me that it is also part of the Hezbollah security square? Any Lebanese who knows Dahiyeh will tell you that Chiyah is quite a distance from the security square. Since when can accurate journalism be based on only one interview? You even said that you never dared enter Dahiyeh because of security concerns. Hence, how can you be so confident as to say that only the security square was leveled?
On a separate note, however, I’d like to say that you, Lisa, deserve my respect on one aspect, and that is your loyalty to your country, Israel. You clearly edited and modified your reporting in order to benefit your country’s/people’s cause, and for that, I take my hat off for you. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the lebanese. What you and many other foreigners fail to realize is that these Lebanese who call themselves “moderate” and claim to support you are in fact the most extremist, fanatically-influenced individuals. You see, their love for you and your country stems from their deep-rooted hatred towards people of the south Lebanon. These “moderates” are clearly from areas such as Tripoli or central Beirut (posh areas of course) who have never been personally affected by Israel. Ask one of them, if you may, if they have ever been affected by Israel’s 22-year occupation of Southern Lebanon. Or, perhaps more recently and more memorable, ask them if they were affected by the war last summer. Most will respond by saying very little, if at all. These people, who claim to be Lebanese, simply do not give a damn about the hardships that their fellow Lebanese have encountered in the south during and after the Israeli occupation. As long as their lives/interests are perfect, that’s all that matters. It’s obvious that they place their sect’s interests over their national/Lebanese interests, and this is quite clear from the blogs written here on your site.
Finally, I’d like to conclude by thanking you, Mrs. Goldman (wait, are you sure that’s your real name?), for this piece of journalism as it has taught us that one should always put loyalty to his country in front of everything else and has also exposed us to the true biases that is written over the faces of all Israeli Journalists. Peace out…
