Myths & Facts Online

Preface

By Mitchell G. Bard

In 1957, Si Kenen started a newsletter  — Near East Report — to inform the public about events relating to the Middle East. Much of what he published in NER was current, but he also recognized the need to educate readers about the Arab-Israeli conflict and to debunk myths perpetrated by those who wished to rewrite history to suit their own purposes. Toward this end, NER began to publish special surveys of pertinent issues. Gradually these analyses grew to book length and were published as Myths and Facts.

Myths about the Middle East did not originate in the 1950's, nor have they ceased to be promulgated. The tumultuous events in the region seem to be consistently accompanied by all new distortions of the facts about the Arab-Israeli conflict. Mitchell Bard and Joel Himelfarb edited the last edition of Myths and Facts in 1992. A great deal has happened since then, so, with Near East Research's permission, and by popular demand, AICE produced an updated version of this classic text. This version has the advantage of being hyperlinked to the vast resources available in our Jewish Virtual Library and is constantly updated as new events occur.

The response to our online version has been overwhelming and people began to ask for hard copies of the text. Consequently, we have published a version in paperback for quick, easy reference. I recommend you purchase a copy to keep handy for use when you can't get online. New myths that emerge after publication of the book will be incorporated online with the corresponding facts. To order the paperback edition, click HERE.

We would like to acknowledge the contributions of past editors Sheila Segal, Wolf Blitzer, Alan Tigay, Moshe Decter, M.J. Rosenberg, Jeff Rubin, Eric Rozenman, Lenny Davis and Joel Himelfarb.

"Truth," Lord Acton said, "is the only merit that gives dignity and worth to history." The following pages lay out the truth about the Arab-Israeli conflict. It is the best weapon we have against the purveyors of falsehood.

Mitchell G. Bard
June 2001