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http://www.memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=subjects&Area=jihad&ID=SP203808

Special Dispatch Series - No. 2038
September 2, 2008 No. 2038

“Condemnation of Al-Jazeera Celebrations of Al-Kuntar’s Release”

SNIPPET: “On July 23, 2008, MEMRI released a video clip of celebrations held by Al-Jazeera in honor of Samir Al-Kuntar, the Lebanese prisoner who spent 30 years in Israeli jail for committing a terrorist act in Israel. The clip can be viewed at http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/1818.htm .

The clip prompted harsh criticism and condemnation of Al-Jazeera in Israel and in the Arab world. Al-Jazeera director-general Waddakh Khanfar, apologized, explaining that the celebrations of Al-Kuntar’s release had “violated Al-Jazeera’s ethical code.” [1] However, Al-Jazeera deputy editor-in-chief Ahmad Jadallah denied that the channel had apologized. [2]

Arab columnists argued that these celebrations were indications of a lack of objectivity on the part of Al-Jazeera, and even rejected the hailing of Al-Kuntar as a hero.

Following are excerpts from two main articles on the issue that were published in the Arab press:

Arab Columnist: Kuntar Is Not a Hero But a Terrorist”