Israel's Hard Times, and the New York Times

When it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, perhaps no newspaper's coverage generates more passionate and emotional reaction from the Jewish community in America and around the world than that of the New York Times.

Not surprisingly, the newspaper often becomes the target of withering attacks from those who believe that it is fundamentally biased against one side or the other in the conflict.

Enter the most recent controversy surrounding the Times -- a letter sent to the newspaper from Ron Dermer, a senior advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The letter was prompted by an offer, extended by Times editors, for the prime minister to pen an op-ed piece of his own stating his views on current issues facing the Jewish state.