Some Cross Words About West Australian’s Puzzling Israel-Bashing

The Big One crossword puzzle in Saturday’s West Australian Newspaper (the newspaper I grew up reading back in the old country) had not one but two pieces of anti-Israel propaganda masquerading as clues.

  • Question 59 Across:  Occupied Middle Eastern Country (9) – answer is Palestine
  • Question 49 Down: Largest open-air prison (4) – answer is Gaza

(I’ll give them a pass on the first clue Across – First book in the Christian Old Testament – because for Jews, there is no old Testament. There is just the one, which we call the Torah).

Regarding the first ‘clue’, obviously there is no country of Palestine; British Mandate palestine was the name of the area before the state of Israel was established in 1948. But by suggesting there is such a country and it is “occupied”, the crossword author is essentially delegitimizing the existence of the entire state of Israel.

Regarding the second ‘clue’, the claim Gaza is an open-air prison is another one made by the Israel-haters. It is also patently false as I have shown too many times to count.

I believe The Big One is authored by David Stickley & Auspac Media.

I have contacted both Auspac Media and the West Australian to lodge complaints. I will keep you updated if there are any responses.

Hat tip: Andrew

Update: Response from Auspac Media:

Many thanks for contacting Auspac Media to express your anger regarding the crossword clues.  This crossword is not supplied by Auspac Media but I will forward your complaint through to the editor that looks after this area. 

The West Australian are very careful and aware with everything they print and I’m sure they would appreciate me passing your email on to them. 

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