The South African Jewish Board of Deputies took a group of prominent journalists and columnists to Israel on a fact finding mission last month.
The trip was co-hosted by the Board’s communications head, Charisse Ziefert (picture), and the Israeli Foreign Ministry.
During the course of a week, the journalists and columnists were shown the length and breadth of the country and met a wide spectrum of academics, politicians and business people.
Was it all worthwhile?
Was it ever! Read some of what the delegates wrote on their return, BELOW, and make up your own mind.
The Board’s Ziefert says it was an “invaluable experience,” which had opened the journalists' eyes to the “complexity of the Middle East conflict.”
The successful outcome of the trip is all the more noteworthy as the Board seem to have selected some of the writers from titles that are known to display an anti-Israeli bias at times.
“Complex crisis most analysts fail to explain” by Human Rights activist Rhoda Kadalia in Business Day
“Land of near miracles” by Cedric Mboyisa - political editor of The Citizen
“Fear in a little bit of heaven” by Rapule Tabane in the Mail & Guardian
“Middle East future remains a grey area” by Philani Mgwaba in the Sunday Tribune
"Pomegrates blossom in Jerusalem" by Jannie Ferreira in Die Burger (translated into English)
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