[WikiEN-l] POV Intro (Re: Introduction to "Allegations of Israeli Apartheid")

[Argis Rohat]

Re the lead to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegations_of_Israeli_apartheid

WP:LEAD states that a good lead "should briefly summarize the most important
points covered in an article in such a way that it could stand on its own as
a concise version of the article." The problem with the current lead is that
it only summarizes the arguments against the "Israeli apartheid" allegation
without mentioning a single argument in favor of the phrase. This means the
intro is unbalanced and very POV. Either equal space should be given to pro
and anti-arguments or the arguments from either side should be removed from
the lead and left to the body of the article.

Unfortunately, the article is the subject of revert wars so there's a real
need for impartial admins to go in and mediate IMHO.


On 1/9/07, C. Currie <coreyjcurrie at gmail.com> wrote:
> I would like to draw the attention of readers to the current introduction
> of an article entitled "Allegations of Israeli Apartheid":
>
> "Allegations of Israeli apartheid draw a controversial analogy from South
Africa's treatment of non-whites during the apartheid era to
Israel's  treatment of Arabs living in the West Bank and Israel. Those who
reject the analogy argue that it has no basis in fact and is intended as
political slander to malign Israel. They say that legitimate Israeli
security needs justify the practices that prompt the analogy, and argue that
the practices of many other countries, to which the term is not applied,
more closely resemble South African apartheid"
>
> Some editors are of the opinion that this introduction is
> one-sided, arguing it lists the arguments of critics but not proponents,
is
> weighted toward one position, and goes beyond the succinct definitions
> usually favoured for Wikipedia introductions.  Other editors have opposed
> efforts to modify the section, arguing that the current version follows
the
> Manual of Style.
>
> This is obviously a contentious article, and accusations of partisanship
> have been made on both sides.  I would request that mailing list
> contributors review this dispute, and suggest fair and neutral wording.
>
> Thank you,
>
> CJCurrie
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