UPDATE – The Times changed the caption to read “Bethlehem, West Bank.” Even the Times must kneel before the wrath of the Fest.
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The New York Times website has an interesting slideshow called “Strange Signs From Abroad.” It accompanied a story by Andrew Jacobs, who wrote about unusual and often funny English translations in public and business signs in China. This slideshow came about because the Times “asked readers to share photos of amusingly translated or otherwise quirky signs that they’ve found during their travels.”

I am glad to report they included the Palestinian knock-off landmark, Stars and Bucks. Though I am not sure that this is a bad translation as much as it is a gross circumvention of copyright in the hope of leeching off brand familiarity, or something like that, I am glad to see it included.

Of course, being a Zio-publication, the Times had to put Bethlehem in “Palestine, Israel.” It is as if Palestine is a province of Israel, and Bethlehem is a city in that province. Forgetting international consensus and law, the Times has continuously just granted the occupied territories to Israel in its reportage. Even if this description is politically accurate in terms of actual governance, it is certainly not technically correct.

To correct this gaffe, which seems to happen quite a bit with the Times, Fadi sent them an email and

told them that the New York Times is apparently the only entity that considers Bethlehem a city in Israel. Israel certainly does not and refuses to annex the West Bank because they cannot pretend to be a democracy while openly claiming Palestinian cities and their inhabitants (including the owner and patrons of Stars and Bucks) as their own.

We’ll see if it changes. Certainly, send them a note if you have the time and patience.

This legitimate protest aside, it is nice to Stars and Bucks finally getting the international publicity it deserves. Why I think that, I cannot explain.

[tarboush tip: Emily, Diana, Fadi]

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1. Hollywood Stars Shun Pro-Israeli Diamond Store
2. Where’s Bethlehem?
3. The Lobby From Carter’s View
4. GOOD NEWS: UM Press Bucks Zionut Pressure
5. Um… Jesus was born there, duh!