Der Tzeitung Issues Apology, Clarification
The following statement was released by Der Tzeitung in response to the recent hulaballoo regarding the photos of the White House situation room that the newspaper published (read Matzav’s reports here and here):
The White House released a picture showing the President following “live” the events in the apprehension of Osama Bin Laden, last week Sunday. Also present in the Situation Room were various high-ranking government and military officials. Our photo editor realized the significance of this historic moment, and published the picture, but in his haste he did not read the “fine print” that accompanied the picture, forbidding any changes. We should not have published the altered picture, and we have conveyed our regrets and apologies to the White House and to the State Department.The allegations that religious Jews denigrate women or do not respect women in public office, is a malicious slander and libel. The current Secretary of State, the Honorable Hillary R. Clinton, was a Senator representing New York State with great distinction 8 years. She won overwhelming majorities in the Orthodox Jewish communities in her initial campaign in ‘00, and when she was re-elected in ‘06, because the religious community appreciated her unique capabilities and compassion to all communities. The Jewish religion does not allow for discrimination based on gender, race, etc.
We respect all government officials. We even have special prayers for the welfare of our Government and the government leaders, and there is no mention of gender in such prayers.
All Government employees are sworn into office, promising adherence to the Constitution, and our Constitution attests to our greatness as a nation that is a light beacon to the entire world. The First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion. (See below.) That has precedence even to our cherished freedom of the press! In accord with our religious beliefs, we do not publish photos of women, which in no way relegates them to a lower status. Publishing a newspaper is a big responsibility, and our policies are guided by a Rabbinical Board. Because of laws of modesty, we are not allowed to publish pictures of women, and we regret if this gives an impression of disparaging to women, which is certainly never our intention. We apologize if this was seen as offensive.
We are proud Americans of the Jewish faith, and there is no conflict in that, and we will with the help of the Almighty continue as law-abiding citizens, in this great country of our’s, until the ultimate redemption.
{Matzav.com Newscenter}
23 Responses to “Der Tzeitung Issues Apology, Clarification”
2. Comment from Fact
Time May 9, 2011 at 5:35 PM
Frumkeit requires Seichel!!
כל מי שאין בו דעה אסור לרחם עליו
3. Comment from think again
Time May 9, 2011 at 6:23 PM
Interesting to note that one of the main people running the Tzeitung is a woman!
(Also the owner and publisher of Hamodia is a woman as well).
4. Comment from Dovid
Time May 9, 2011 at 6:24 PM
U.S. Government photos, such as the one in question (i.e non-classified), are by law in the public domain. Thus anyone can legally alter it however they wish, notwithstanding the disclaimer the White House attached which has no legal application.
5. Comment from Anonymous
Time May 9, 2011 at 6:35 PM
Whoa!!!! Look at Yahoo’s headlines!
6. Comment from Alteh-Bucher
Time May 9, 2011 at 7:01 PM
Much ado about nothing!
Since when does anyone care so much anyways?
7. Comment from Yeshiva Bochur
Time May 9, 2011 at 7:13 PM
To # 1:
And if yes, what’s the problem?
8. Comment from Anonymous
Time May 9, 2011 at 7:45 PM
Could they have eliminated the female photos but instead printed their names in those places to show recognition of their presence at this historic event? I do think the newspaper’s explanation was appropriate and well said.
9. Comment from bubby 1
Time May 9, 2011 at 8:20 PM
This story is being carried on all the major newssites. Even CNN had it on their program.
10. Comment from א ייד
Time May 9, 2011 at 9:38 PM
נארישקייט
11. Comment from anonymous
Time May 9, 2011 at 11:53 PM
Mistakes can happen. This doesn’t seem like such a significant one. I’m sure Hillary’s not too offended.
12. Comment from cohen
Time May 9, 2011 at 11:57 PM
Those who pointed out ,delete (or partially delete)but don’t alter have a point.
Americans of the jewish faith sounds like…..
13. Comment from Leib
Time May 9, 2011 at 11:59 PM
To #2:The newspaper in question provides the news to its readership in a format that is in line with their shmiras haeinayim.
After 120 years, you will find out that those who wish to keep their eyes pure,whom you so smugly criticize, were the ones with the seichel, not you, who lets your eyes gaze on whatever may come your way.
I should pity you for your total ignorance of yesodos hakedushah,but then again:
כל מי שאין בו דעה אסור לרחם עליו
14. Comment from I DON’T UNDERSTAND
Time May 10, 2011 at 12:15 AM
I REALLY DON’T UNDERSTAND THIS WHOLE CONCEPT. THE TORAH SAYS ‘VLO SOSURU ACHREI LVAVCHEM VACHREI EINACHEM. THE SHULCHON ARUCH PASKENS THAT IT IS ASSUR TO BE MISTAKEL AT A WOMEN. HOW DARE YOU TO ARGUE WITH THAT. IF WE ARE FRUM YIDEN, IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT. AND IF NOT, SPEW OUT YOUR TEIVOS ON A DIFFERENT WEB SITE. BESIDES THE FACT THAT NOBODY RESPECTS THEIR WIVES MORE THEN THE TORAH TRUE YIDEN.
15. Comment from Sadly
Time May 10, 2011 at 1:00 AM
Sadly, the playing up in the media- of this innocent,harmless, and well-intentioned photo-editing, should make it very clear to all of us that the media does not have any particular liking for us religious Jews, and will jump on any opportunity to ridicule us all, and use us for fodder. Apparently, they also believe, that their readerships will thoroughly enjoy the spectacle.
So, all those frum Jews who smugly criticize this newspaper for carrying their frumkeit too fsr, should realize that the Goy on the street doesn’t diffrentiate. You are just as backward and laughable in his eyes as those who adhere to a stricter standard.
You will never catch up with the Goy’s Goyishkeit, no matter how much you relax your standards. Don’t become like the Goy by ridiculing any Yid who behaves frummer than you.
16. Comment from editing vs. cutting
Time May 10, 2011 at 4:46 AM
They could have cut the picture in half, used only the left half. It’s the photoshopping to alter the actual spot/scene that was the problem…. but the apology is well-written.
17. Comment from Avi
Time May 10, 2011 at 5:13 AM
there is no prohibition in merely seeing a woman. What is next, referring to her as “H. Clinton”
18. Comment from Raphael Kaufman
Time May 10, 2011 at 9:03 AM
To #13.
Yes, after 120 we will see who was right and who was wrong. Don’t get too comfortable.
19. Comment from Insider
Time May 10, 2011 at 9:22 AM
De Tzeitung is a great newspaper and if they made a mistake, they are acknowledging it and apologizing. Proof positive that they are upright citizens and true “mentchen.” I, for one, am sure that Hillary is personally quite familiar with De Tzeitung and fully understands and accepts the apology. This is a lesson in tznius and in mentchlichkeit. I am proud to be a De Tzeitung reader.
20. Comment from Anonymous
Time May 10, 2011 at 12:48 PM
Let us here it for Di Tzeitung
21. Comment from Anon
Time May 10, 2011 at 1:33 PM
#14
there are clear disticntions in halacha between Re’iyah and histaklus, everyone knows that!
22. Comment from Leib
Time May 10, 2011 at 1:51 PM
To #18, Raphael Kaufman: I feel quite comfortable following the lead of all the Tzadikim of previous generations and of this generation who try to minimize coming into visual contact with women as much as possible-May Hashem help me to guard my eyes properly.
This is a well-known fact about numerous Gedolim. I don’t need to enumerate.
I recall vividly- Rabbi Avigdor Miller Zecher Zaddik V’Koddosh livrachah saying in a public lecture that when you talk to a woman, you should not look directly at her face.
I highly doubt anyone will be punished after 120 for avoiding visual contact with women, so I have nothing to fear of being wrong on this point, even if it’s possible that I’m wrong-which it’s not.
You, however, by your attitude, show a disrespect for the Tzadikei Hadoros and their ways, so you definitely shouldn’t get too comfortable. And if you are not as smart as you think you are, and you err, you WILL be sorry, after it’s too late.
So what’s your point?
23. Comment from Ben Torah
Time May 11, 2011 at 1:21 AM
Leib (#13):
Very well stated.
1. Comment from Anonymous
Time May 9, 2011 at 5:01 PM
I suppose that if there is a female president, we will only publish a doonesbury “asterik” for the president right?