AP bias watch: redrawing the map to legitimize Hezbollah
The Associated Press recently provided this map of the Israel—Hezbollah war. Though otherwise unremarkable and not particularly informative, this map reveals something extremely important regarding AP's biases.
The disputed Shebaa Farms area (named on the map as Chebaa Farms) is marked on the map. The map clearly and unambiguously places it in Lebanon. Shebaa Farms is Syrian territory occupied by Israel as a result of its decisive victory in the Six Day War of 1967. The international community, including the United States, considers Shebaa Farms to be Syrian territory.
With the U.N. completely certifying Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000, there is no longer any credible claim that Israel continues to occupy Lebanese territory. However, Hezbollah still claims that Shebaa Farms is Lebanese territory, in an attempt to legitimize its "resistance" against Israel.
It is very significant that AP's map places Shebaa Farms in Lebanon, apparently disregarding the almost unanimous opinion of the international community in favor of claims made by Hezbollah.
Could it be that the Associated Press is attempting to grant legitimacy to Hezbollah's violence against Israel?
Or is AP simply unbelievably sloppy and unaware of the basic issues underlying the subject on which it reports?
Choose whichever explanation you wish, and then do not trust AP reporting.