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Brian Williams became the seventh anchor and managing editor in the history of NBC Nightly News on December 2, 2004. Read his full biography.
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As we prepare to originate Nightly News from the Mideast tonight, the violence appears to be reaching a new, frantic and lethal pace. The Haifa train depot rocket attack raised the bar (indeed Haifa is hugely vulnerable due to fuel stocks stored alongside the beautiful port) as did the deaths of the Canadian nationals. If the longer-range rockets do see action in this conflict, sirens will indeed be heard in Tel Aviv for the first time in years. And yet even the official tourist Web sites inform visitors that the "action" in Tel Aviv's nightclubs often doesn't get going until 2 a.m. That won't change because of a few rockets. It takes a lot to change daily rituals in the region, after all. Those who aren't firing something in this conflict look strangely paralyzed -- and in the meantime the cost to innocent lives and infrastructure is already scary. Saturday, it was said that 1 million Israelis were within range of missiles. Today, that number may have increased exponentially. And for those in Beirut and elsewhere in the southern quadrant of Lebanon: all bets are off.
When I leave on a trip like this one, I usually tell friends, well-wishers and loved ones that the ride to the airport is the most dangerous part of the trip. I'm hoping my maxim isn't proven wrong on this jaunt. It is a region I know and love. The randomness of these attacks is beyond frightening and beyond troubling -- unguided rockets raining down on a generation of people raised to believe that modern-day weapons are targeted with great precision. Now the first landmarks are being targeted, in a region where they are plentiful. And here we are again, moving an army of journalists into this familiar corner of the world, to cover something awful.
All of us who are frequent travelers to the Mideast have our own favorite places... the courtyard of the American Colony Hotel in Jerusalem, and the small jewelry store adjacent to it (where the owner, who has never met my wife, nevertheless knows her taste in jewelry to a spooky degree). There are two or three spectacular sidewalk cafes in Tel Aviv, our favorite fish place in Jaffa, and of course our bureau in Tel Aviv, staffed with fantastic producers and steely-brave camera crews. We are all great friends, and I would gladly cover any story or war zone with any of them... anywhere in the world.
There is always the chance that cooler heads will prevail. Though I'm guessing if the Cooler Heads who just gathered as part of the G-8 chose to stop at the communique they issued, the prevailing view is that this fighting has to find its own natural conclusion. Let's hope for all of us, and all of those seeking shelter in the Middle East at this moment -- that the conclusion comes sooner rather than later. And if it feels like our world is falling to pieces these days -- well, perhaps that's a sentiment we should find a way to give voice to tonight when Nightly News comes on the air.
Read more from Brian Williams 2006, Posts on the Mideast
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'Knee deep' in rockets
I admire you for the work that you do.If only you ran the world Brian.....cooler heads would prevail.When I saw that you were in Tel Aviv, my heart stopped.Please be safe....America (and Canada)needs to see you every evening in their livingrooms-a kind, gentle and intelligent(and sometimes funny) man.
Melissa Bunting, Winnipeg,MB.Canada (Sent Jul 18, 2006 2:27:55 AM)
Nancy, Hezbollah came into the country of Israel and captured two soldiers. Hezbollah are not in Gaza, Hamas are in Gaza. Israel still controls Gaza. If they need to find terrorists who fire rockets into Israel from the south, they should do so. If Israel needs to go into Lebanon in the north to find Hezbollah, they should do so. We should support Israel. No matter what Israel concedes to the Arabs it is never enough. The Arabs do not recognize Israel as a country and they want to destroy Israel and push Israel into the sea. Israel has a right to defend itself.
Jane, Southern Mississippi (Sent Jul 18, 2006 12:05:02 AM)
Dear Brian, Thank you for telling both sides of the story and being one of the few journalists who portrays Israel in a positive light. Anyone who knows the long and complicated history of this region should understand that there are many facts not realized by most young journalists today. Your sensitivity and recognition of truth are greatly appreciated. Stay safe.
A.C. , Teaneck, NJ (Sent Jul 17, 2006 10:05:15 PM)
Hey Mr. Williams! Be safe and come back home soon! I'll pray for you and the rest of the news team there!
Arthur Tran (Sent Jul 17, 2006 6:48:21 PM)
why does the media keep on revealing exactly where and how far the rockets hit Isreal? Every news related article keeps on mentioning degrees, miles etc.
(Sent Jul 17, 2006 5:03:49 PM)
My husband and I first met at the American high-school (ACS) in Beirut in 1974. Lebanon holds a special place in our hearts. This situation is devastating and, unfortunately, we won't see peace in our lifetime. Our hearts break for the people of Lebanon who just recently had their Beirut back. Safe reporting to you all...
Jane Putnam, North Andover, Massachusetts (Sent Jul 17, 2006 3:01:18 PM)
Brian - Israel captured 2 Palestinians INSIDE Gaza the day BEFORE Palestinians captured 2 Israeli soldiers. Why isn't this mentioned in US media???
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5112846.stm
nancy terry, Jacksonville, fl (Sent Jul 17, 2006 2:34:44 PM)
Brian,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your crew.
Barbara, Murfreesboro, TN (Sent Jul 17, 2006 2:13:23 PM)
Brian, hope you stay safe.
I'm usually optimistic about such conflicts, but in this case, there doesn't seem to be any hope.
I'm also slightly dissapointed that your post only speaks to danger in Isreal. I think it's fair to say that it's a lot more dangerous to be in Lebanon than in Isreal right now. It's almost like Isreali lives are worth more than Lebanese lives.
My prayers are with everyone caught up in this conflict especially with the family of the 8 Canadians killed by Isreali attacks yesterday, they obviously weren't involved with Hezbollah.
The whole thing reminds me of an African proverb that says, "When elephants fight, it's the grass that suffers"
Oseyi, St Louis, MO (Sent Jul 17, 2006 2:12:19 PM)
Just tell the whole story. Stay safe. Your in my prayers!
(Sent Jul 17, 2006 2:10:18 PM)
Brian,
Here's to wishing you a safe and speedy return. Please use your good common sense in moving about, as I think we all suspect the region to grow even more dangerous. Where is our President, the Leader of the Free World?
Malcolm Hunter, New York, NY (Sent Jul 17, 2006 2:07:36 PM)
I'm guessing that you're traveling with my neighbor and good friend, cameraman Tony Z., as he left South Florida yesterday morning for assignment with NBC in Israel. I wish you, he and your entire crew safe travels, an easy journey and a quick return to the relative safety of the United States. Please tell Tony that his neighbors in Weston promise to keep his seat at the dominos table warm until he comes home.
Larry Schott, Weston, Florida (Sent Jul 17, 2006 2:00:29 PM)
Brian,
Your courage, perseverance, and unselfish seek for the truth in encompassing all aspects of world news that touches our lives daily does not go unnoticed. Take care and Godspeed as you endeavor yet another dangerous trek to give the citizens of America the entire story as we sit humbly and unafraid in front of our television sets as free Americans. Thank you!
Steve Nimmo, Layton, UTah (Sent Jul 17, 2006 1:53:54 PM)
Brian,
I understand that the "desk job component" of all news anchors often "happens by accident" and at heart, you are all true reporters. I also understand that being in the field ultimately results in better and more accurate reporting, but please know that by inviting you into my living room each night for the past year and a half has made me (and a great deal of other viewers I’m sure) feel a little bit invested in your well-being and safety. So, on the one hand, thank you for over a year of superb journalism but, on the other, be safe out there (you and your crew), many prayers would be sent for all the brave men and women putting themselves in harms way to bring us true and up-to-date accounts of the turmoil in the Middle East. On a side note, enjoy some great food while you’re out there.
Alexis, Redlands, CA (Sent Jul 17, 2006 1:46:57 PM)
Brian, we wish you all the best and a speedy and safe return. We keep all of you in the most dangerous places (especially right now, Martin Fletcher and,on an ongoing basis, Richard Engel in our prayers always.
Godspeed from those you don't know but who know you through the broadcast and this blog.
(Sent Jul 17, 2006 1:41:00 PM)
For better or worse the U.S. has chosen to support the State of Israel for the past 58 years, without giving equal consideration to the Arab countries that nearly surround it. Is it any wonder that the Arab world sees the U.S. as its nemesis? I fear that someday soon there will be hell to pay as Israel leads us into the inferno. I hope I am wrong!
Phil Murray Hays, Kansas (Sent Jul 17, 2006 1:25:38 PM)
Brian,
Like many viewers, I have been very upset at your departure to an increasingly dangerous part of the globe...yet again. We know you will stay as safe as possible; we know you have experience in these parts of the world; and we know you will not put yourself in needless danger, if there is such a place where you are at this moment. Please know Brian, that we are holding you and your family in our prayers. Stay safe, be well...and of course, bring back some beautiful jewelry for your wife.
Pee Wee Boobosch, Portland, OR (Sent Jul 17, 2006 11:01:27 AM)
Thanks Brian....Awesome job...Our Prayers are with you !!!!
Christopher Harris (Sent Jul 17, 2006 10:46:30 AM)
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