May 1989, Page 49

California Chronicle

By Pat McDonnell Twair

TV Commentator Bill Press Supported by Arab Americans

KABC-TV commentator Bill Press is well known in Los Angeles for his liberal views and is hailed by the Arab-American community for criticizing the Israeli government's harsh treatment of Palestinians, particularly since the onset of the intifddah. Dr. Sabri El Farra and his wife Jane honored the outspoken political analyst at a gathering in their home to help defray his campaign expenses in last year's California senate primary election.

Noting that he became a target of hatred once he voiced criticism of Israel's "iron fist" policy toward the Palestinians, Press said that even American Jews are now critical of this policy. He referred to his Jan. 26 commentary on Israel's double standard when it comes to issuing court sentences to Jews and Palestinians.

"A West Bank youth was caught throwing a stone—he didn't hit anyone but he was sentenced to five years in prison for 'the intent to kill ... Press said. "On the other hand, an Israeli settler shot and killed a Palestinian and was given a three-year suspended sentence."

And with that, Press passed around an Israeli "rubber" bullet.

"There is nothing merciful about this bullet. It's brutal and lethal," he continued. "There's nothing rubber about this bullet. It's a steel marble with a rubber coating that easily penetrates the body and stays there.”

Press plans to run for the newly created elected office of California insurance commissioner. A possible opponent in the June 1990 Democratic primary election is Tom Hayden, a staunch supporter of Israel.

Campaign to Air "Letter From Palestine"

Word spread in March that the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) was to feed "Letter From Palestine," a 30-minute documentary about Palestinian medical workers, to its 326 affiliates at 10:30 pm. on April 2.

However, when KCET, the Los Angeles PBS affiliate, was called on March 17 to see if it would air the documentary on April 2, the station spokesperson said "no" because that time slot was filled, but perhaps the program would be aired at a later date. The Arab-American community began phoning and writing letters to KCET asking that it reconsider its decision not to air the documentary April 2.

Howard Rosenberg, the Los Angeles Times' Pulitzer-prize-winning columnist, requested KCET to send him a tape of the documentary, which was filmed by Steve York during two weeks in the West Bank and Gaza where he accompanied Palestinian doctors treating villagers living under military curfews. After viewing it, Rosenberg said it provided him with "another side of what's happening there that I haven't seen. I would consider it a wrong decision not to run it." Rosenberg also interviewed York by telephone in York's Washington, DC, office.

The real breakthrough came when Rosenberg learned that a small PBS outlet, KOCE, which airs only in Orange County, planned to show "Letter From Palestine" at 11:30 p.m. on April 2. With that in mind, Rosenberg wrote a column, entitled "A Powerful Portrait of the Palestinians," that appeared on the first page of the Los Angeles Times "Calendar" section March 31.

Rosenberg noted that KCET now has scheduled "Letter From Palestine" for 10:30 pm. on June 1. He pointed out also that PBS affiliates in Cleveland and Miami have refused to air the documentary and that New York's WNET, as well as PBS affiliates in Philadelphia, Detroit, Atlanta, Baltimore, Hartford, Portland, Orlando, Kansas City, and San Diego haven't scheduled it.

According to Rosenberg, "York said he feels 'no personal antagonism' toward the Israeli army. He said he asked permission from the army to film a squad of Israeli soldiers for a separate film and 'live what they live, do what they do, hear what they hear.' He said he was turned down."

The Arab-American community is looking forward to the June 1 KCET airing of "Letter From Palestine" and hopes other PBS affiliates will follow suit.

Pat McDonnell Twair is a free-lance writer based in California..