[CTRL] Pilger Attacked For Exposing "Kosher Conspiracy"

[William Shannon]

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,3740335%255E662,00.html Australian stirs up racial row By LEO SCHLINK in London 09feb02 AUSTRALIAN journalist John Pilger has been condemned for writing anti-Semitic stories, forcing his editor into a two-page apology in response to Jewish outrage. New Statesman magazine, renowned for its left-wing views, yesterday carried a comprehensive apology in response to provocative articles co-authored by Pilger and Dennis Sewell. The articles, dubbed "A kosher conspiracy", were promoted last month by a cover illustration featuring a Star of David stabbing a Union Jack. It was accompanied by two stories claiming Israel had an unhealthy influence on media coverage of Middle East affairs. The magazine's editor, Peter Wilby, said: "We (or more precisely I) got it wrong. The New Statesman is vigorously opposed to racism." The magazine's offices were invaded last month by a Jewish lobby group called Action Against Anti-Semitism. Wilby's apology soothed Jewish representatives, but Pilger has been held up to ridicule in the wider British media. The Sun reserved a fierce blast for Pilger in its editorial. "The fact John Pilger co-wrote the offending articles should not be forgotten," it said. "Pilger is the worst kind of journalist. He can operate only because of the freedoms afforded to him by the West -- yet he devotes his life to attacking those values. "Pilger prostitutes his limited talent around the world, making money by bringing comfort to Britain's enemies and the enemies of our American and Israeli friends. "Wilby has said sorry. Will the harlot of hackery say sorry, too?"