Israeli Authorities Bar Women Reporters From Covering Trump

Yesterday, two American reporters were prevented from doing their jobs by the religious authorities of a foreign state. This fact provoked oddly little consternation on the part of the American media class, who normally at least profess to be stalwart defenders of press freedom. But for reasons that remain inscrutable, yesterday’s incident — a blatant, undeniable imposition on the ability of journalists to do journalism — didn’t particularly register on the outrage-o-meter.

Annie Karni of POLITICO and Carol Lee of the Wall Street Journal were the pool reporters assigned to cover Trump’s visit in Israel, which included a reverential jaunt to the Western Wall — a slab of stone literally believed to contain supernatural forces, and in which American presidents are known to stick their hands.

Due to popular superstition involving this wall, the two pool reporters were impeded from carrying out their journalistic responsibilities — namely, as POLITICO reported, chronicling the movements and activities of the president:

The only proper reaction to this incident should be mockery, derision, and scorn, followed by the calling of attention to the utterly nonsensical basis for the gender segregation which prevented Karni and Lee from reporting: that some stones are supernaturally significant, and out of deference to said supernaturalism, women must be kept physically separate from men. The idea that these stone blocks have divine powers residing in them is not supportable by any empirical evidence, and that it’s such a widespread, unquestioned belief should be regarded as an insult by anyone who doesn’t particularly want inane myths inhibiting reporters from covering the US president.

The main reason this provoked little-to-no outrage is that everybody’s supposed to nod in solemn acknowledgment of these particular superstitious customs, and accept that state authorities enforcing them is right and good — rather than fundamentally absurd. To make reasonable allowances for cultural norms when in an unfamiliar environment is fair enough. But to simply accept unquestioningly that women reporters be physically impaired from carrying out their journalistic duties is an affront.

One retort heard constantly on the internet when one registers this complaint is, “But look at what [Islamic custom x] imposes on women! This is nothing in comparison.” To complain about the compulsory segregation of women at the Western Wall is not to make any excuses for the subjection of women in Islamic contexts. Saudi Arabia bars non-Muslims from entering an entire city due to their own ancient superstitions, which is officious and stupid on its on terms.

But Israel is constantly heralded by American politicians and opinionators as the pinnacle of civilizational excellence, where “innovation” and “democracy” and other nice things are permitted to thrive. And yet, due to the superstition which imbues the Israeli state, these reporters couldn’t do something as simple as document the president’s travels. It’s pitiful, and should be derided as such.