In its Sunday, Jan. 5 edition, the New York Times runs an article by Jerusalem correspondent Isabel Kershner about a stumbling block in Mideast peace talks -- whether Israel will retain control of the Jordan Valley at the eastern end of the West Bank. Israel contends it needs this barrier to prevent potential attacks on its heartland. Palestinians are adamantly opposed to let Israel retain any presence -- military or otherwise -- in any part of the West Bank The valley now is home to 60,000 Palestinians and 6,500 Israelis ("Strategic Corridor in West Bank Remains a Stumbling Block in Mideast Talks" page 8). Upon closer examination of Kershner's dispatch, however, it quickly becomes evident that her focus is less on strategic issues and more on drawing contrasts between living conditions of Palestinian and Jewish residents in this part of the West Bank. Here are the first two paragraphs of her article: "BARDALA, West Bank -- The residents of this neglected Palestinian farming village...(Read Full Post)