Spring Break
American Bashing of Israel Must Cease
Aaron Igdalsky
Issue date: 10/2/07 Section: Commentary
Israel is a small nation with big enemies. Established as a Jewish state in 1948, Israel has been fighting for its survival since its inception. Less than a week after declaring independence, Israel was invaded by its Arab neighbors in an attempt to destroy the sovereign country. The Arabs failed in that attempt, but that has not thwarted attempts to derail Israeli success that continue to this day. Lately, anti-Israeli endeavors have been spearheaded not just by Israel's Muslim neighbors, but by Americans as well.
Americans commonly make the false claim that Israel stole land that rightfully belongs to the Arabs and therefore Hezbollah's terrorist attacks against Israel are justified. Calling Hezbollah guerilla fighters is a dangerous euphemism that minimizes the severity of Hezbollah's extremism. The lie that Israel occupies land that rightfully belongs to the Arabs is just one of many absurd claims that are becoming all too common in American society - lies that misrepresent Israel.
Israel and the United States are very publicly allied in the war on terror. Israel's support of America has alienated it among many liberals in the United States who staunchly oppose the American presence in Iraq. However, despite varying opinions on the war in Iraq, one fact remains indisputable: Israel is America's best friend and strongest ally in the Middle East. Despite its small size, Israel provides stability in an otherwise tumultuous region.
Unfortunately, the tremendous service that Israel provides the United States is going largely unrecognized by many Americans who believe everything they hear from the liberal media. A wide range of news sources, including The New York Times, CNN and National Public Radio - half-jokingly referred to by some as National Palestinian Radio - consistently run anti-Israel stories which excite anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic sentiment. For some reason, these media outlets are knowingly disseminating misleading information that detail half-truths and outright lies about purported Israeli wrongdoings.
Americans commonly make the false claim that Israel stole land that rightfully belongs to the Arabs and therefore Hezbollah's terrorist attacks against Israel are justified. Calling Hezbollah guerilla fighters is a dangerous euphemism that minimizes the severity of Hezbollah's extremism. The lie that Israel occupies land that rightfully belongs to the Arabs is just one of many absurd claims that are becoming all too common in American society - lies that misrepresent Israel.
Israel and the United States are very publicly allied in the war on terror. Israel's support of America has alienated it among many liberals in the United States who staunchly oppose the American presence in Iraq. However, despite varying opinions on the war in Iraq, one fact remains indisputable: Israel is America's best friend and strongest ally in the Middle East. Despite its small size, Israel provides stability in an otherwise tumultuous region.
Unfortunately, the tremendous service that Israel provides the United States is going largely unrecognized by many Americans who believe everything they hear from the liberal media. A wide range of news sources, including The New York Times, CNN and National Public Radio - half-jokingly referred to by some as National Palestinian Radio - consistently run anti-Israel stories which excite anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic sentiment. For some reason, these media outlets are knowingly disseminating misleading information that detail half-truths and outright lies about purported Israeli wrongdoings.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 8
Rick
posted 10/02/07 @ 10:33 AM EST
Why is it that Americans can criticize every other nation in the world, including our own ... but hands off Israel? If society has been misled or the media have been dishonest, then set us straight. (Continued…)
Jill
posted 10/02/07 @ 10:34 AM EST
well written thoughtful article
Nizzle
posted 10/02/07 @ 11:11 PM EST
I agree
Saleh
posted 10/03/07 @ 1:55 AM EST
This article is full of fallacies...
1) It is so hypocritical that you are so proud that Israeli newspapers have the freedom to criticize the Israeli government (and its violations of international and humanitarian laws), yet you are so angry when American media and newspapers occasionally do the same thing!
2) It is flat-out dishonest to ignore the very crucial question of why those angry neighbors of Israel are angry in the first place. (Continued…)
Jonathan
posted 10/13/07 @ 11:53 PM EST
Well-written article. People just don't understand that the Israeli government is TRYING to make peace. They are TRYING to give away the West Bank. It's just that no responsible government will take it. (Continued…)
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