Once again, Israel finds itself at war. And once again, the injury of the conflict is compounded by the insult of a prejudiced world press and a slanted international response.
So once again, Israelis – joined by their Jewish brethren around the world – gnash their collective teeth at the infuriating injustice of having to defend themselves for defending themselves.
It is indeed infuriating. But there was something else bothering me about this; something apart from the stubborn ignorance of the truth and the selective picking of facts and the jaw-droppingly lopsided comparisons; something I had difficulty putting my finger on.
You see, my faith in humanity compels me to believe that the media bias, or at least most of it, is not the product of rampant anti-Semitism. Perhaps it is just my naiveté, but I believe that this prejudice is a symptom of classic underdog cheering; an understandable human foible that at some point mutated into an entire school of journalism. The underdog can do no wrong. Strong equals wrong. It is the same sentiment that holds the adolescent serial killer blameless because “he’s just a child.”
This journalistic weakness might be excusable – certainly as an alternative to the charge of anti-Semitism – but for this vexing irony: Why now?
We Jews were the undisputed world underdogs for nineteen centuries. We had no land, no army, no government, not even the saving grace of geographic proximity. And during that time we were beaten up by almost every bully in history. You name an empire; we’ve been persecuted by it. Throw a dart at a map of Europe, and we've probably been expelled from that country. And through it all, we enjoyed the unwavering and resounding support of exactly nobody.
Now, after almost two millennia of being trampled by a nearly continuous stampede of the world’s nations, we finally – finally – bulked up a little. We got a small piece of land, a sometimes functional government, and a respectable fighting force. And now the enlightened people of the world wake up and say, “You know who we should really pay attention to? The underdog.”
We could have really used this attitude back then. It would have been so useful to have a Huffington Post homepage story on, say, the conditions in the Warsaw Ghetto, or a BBC Special Report on the communities ravaged by the Crusades, or a New York Times feature on the nearly one million Jews forced to leave the Arab countries in the twentieth century (the other unnamed Middle East refugee crisis).
We get bad press when we are strong. And we get bad press when we are weak.
So we get bad press when we are strong. And we get bad press when we are weak. We get bad press when we do something, and we get bad press when we do nothing. It is hard to escape the conclusion that no matter what, we are going to get bad press. If the State of Israel succeeds in landing the first human being on Mars, the world media would immediately condemn it for “territorial expansionism” and the UN would swiftly call for a Two Planet Solution.
It may be time to consider that if nothing we do changes the world’s opinion of us, then perhaps we should start caring less about the world’s opinion. Not completely, of course; we cannot entirely ignore the injustice and need to make appropriate protestations. But some of us have become so consumed with outrage at the media that at times we appear more upset with the BBC than with Hamas.
The anger we feel these days towards the media and world opinion is driven in part by a feeling of betrayal; after all, we want to believe that the New York Times and the BBC will live up to their vaunted journalistic reputations, particularly when reporting on those things we care deepest about. It is bitterly galling to see facts skewed so badly by those whom we want to trust as impartial guardians of truth.
The urge to feed our anger at this betrayal is understandable, but it is ultimately futile; no media outlet is going to convince us that we are wrong, and it seems outstandingly unlikely that anything we do will change the opinion of any media outlet. It is a stalemate, and getting ourselves riled up about it just serves to distract us from the real dangers.
We need to focus on what we know is right, regardless of what others say; to embody Kipling’s verse, “If you can keep your head when all about you / Are losing theirs and blaming it on you”.
We must defend ourselves. We know this. We need to support our troops so they can succeed in their mission and make the land safe for us and our brethren. This is what matters.
The enemy here is the side firing rockets, not the ones sending tweets.
In this spirit, I have composed a poem of my own:
Sticks and stone,
Meet Iron Dome
And words,
They're just exhausting.
(22) Mattie Scobie, July 30, 2014 10:07 PM
God willing we will see the end of Hamas soon
(21) Moshe Zarach-Shemesh, July 29, 2014 4:26 PM
Bravo, my brother!
Ezra,
Your essay is not only squarely accurate, but handsomely delivered and a delightful read.
Unfortunately, journalism has become the domain of the left, who hold hostage more than just the conscience of their readership and viewers. They have also been insidiously reaching out to anyone with a penchant for writing and a gift with the written word, and insisting that they belong firmly in their camp. It's gotten to the point that aspiring writers and journalists have no choice but to accept that they must already be liberals, and their choice of occupation proves it. From there, the rhetoric flows.
It is inspiring to see an article written by one of our own with all the charm of Bryson, the vernacular of Saffire, the wit of Barry, and the substance of Buckley.
Keep writing, Ezra. Talk with crowds and keep your virtue.
We're counting on you, brother.
(20) Rick, July 29, 2014 3:55 AM
Some media outlets still see clearly
Thank G-d for Fox News and many conservative radio talk show hosts who see, and convey the truth, very clearly and support Israel very loudly.. They don't mince words. We're not alone at all and we should take every opportunity to thank our friends that we do have in the media.
(19) Bernerd Lowenthal, July 29, 2014 1:56 AM
British hypocrisy is unending and unbelievable.
The Palestine brigade--15,000 Jewish soldiers--fought for England in the deserts of North Africa; they defended England. What did they get for it? An England that armed, equipped and led the Arab Legion that did its best to crush the new state of Israel. The Brits are unrepentant anti-semites who have absolutely no loyalty or gratitude. I won't put up with any moral posturing from them on the subject of Medinat Yisrael.
(18) David, July 28, 2014 5:20 PM
That's a great poem!
You're right that the press' sympathies are unwinnable in a world patently governed by the halacha that Eisav sonei Yisrael. Still US public sentiments are favorable to Israel and whatever efforts can be maintained to preserve and foster that would seem to fall within under the rubric of hishtadlus.
What's interesting, though, is the contrast between Israel's apparent fixation with seemingly irretrievable foreign opinion, and parties like Turkey, N. Korea and Syria that essentially tell the world to take a hike and the world obediently averts its eyes. Maybe taking a different tact could be a productive experiment.
(17) Leah, July 28, 2014 4:34 PM
It's Jew hatred. It's been around for millennia and we are to keep strong and be aligned with Hashem's will and not worry about the tishkoret.
(16) Meyer, July 28, 2014 3:16 PM
"UNDERDOG"
bS"D
Shalom Ezra:
The world media (for most part) and governments have replaced image for reality. being SO sunk into this that they do not know it. They do not know they are in "the paper bag" (hamas is underdog, Israel aggressor).
I think early on the world lost respect for the real underdog, ISRAEL. In the sense that all we did (for years) was bomb tunnels in response to hamas rockets. The world said....Israel if you don't respect yourself, don't expect anyone else to. We pray Netenyahu, G-D willing see's this to the end....of hamas.
(15) Steven, July 28, 2014 2:42 PM
U.S should remember
Someone should remind the U.S that since the start of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars the civilian cost has been 132,000 killed. and they should also remind the world that the Afghan war was coalition of many country's
Seems the press seem to only use that number when it is convenient for them. Subjective and selective reporting and it just gets worse. So yes Israel needs to concern itself less with what is said about her because the world does not nor will they ever care for for the country. Israel is not here to make the world agree it is here to be a light onto the world and cannot be with letting the world tell her how to do that.
(14) Mati, July 28, 2014 2:36 PM
If it is underdog mentality and not antisemitism....
...then why are Jews ALWAYS oppressed even when they are poor, "going to hell", "not Christian", etc., etc., etc., etc., ad hoc inifinity? No matter what the reason, Jews are hated.
(13) Phil Levin, July 28, 2014 2:36 PM
Your point is correct - but for the wrong reason
Yes! Yes! Israel MUST stop worrying about what the World thinks. But only an ignorance of history could suggest that anything but plain old anti-Semitism is - or has ever been - at play. Every 100 IQ Jew MUST read "The Secret War Against the Jews: How Western Espionage Betrayed The Jewish People by John Loftus and Mark Aarons" (Apr 15, 1997) http://www.amazon.com/Secret-War-Against-Jews-Espionage/dp/0312156480/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406557340&sr=1-1&keywords=John Loftus the secret war against the Jews . Loftus' work is thoroughly researched and documented, reveals hundreds of previously secret documents, and explains how EVERY COUNTRY IN EUROPE (except, perhaps, Denmark) cooperated with Hitler - and the Arabs were his right arm in the middle east. The World has NEVER loved us, and likely never will. We must survive by dint of superior intellect, insurmountable strength, ahavas yisroel, and G-d's mercy.
(12) Albert Hache, July 28, 2014 2:05 PM
The destroyer of evil is bound to be right !
The world is in urgent need of clear thinking. The critics of Israel have fallen into a moral trap. The passions stirred by the underdog cheering (the kind hypothesis mentioned in the article), seem to have blurred the boundaries between criticism and Anti-Semitism. In its support for the Palestinian people, the world is the victim of distorted thinking when it fails to see that it is not because people die and are miserable that they are right.
Another example of distorted thinking lies in the fact that most people recognize the right of Israel to exist and defend itself yet they protest whenever its army has no choice but to kill those who actively seek to destroy Israel.
Now, imagine the Israeli media (on the ground that Britain is not being fair to its Muslim population) offering support to the four suicide bombers of the London Underground that killed 53 people and injured 700, or to the two bloodthirsty, fanatic monsters who murdered Lee Rigby, the British soldier, in Woolwich.
That’s exactly what the BBC is doing whenever it supports Israel’s hateful aggressors.
Some, even Jews on this forum (see comment # 8), may be ashamed of Israel's moral ground but not Col. Richard Kemp, the former commander of British forces in Afghanistan who said: “Based on my knowledge and experience, I can say this: during Operation ‘Cast Lead’ the Israeli Defense Force did more to safeguard the rights of civilians in a combat zone than any other army in the history of warfare ”
(11) Angela M, July 28, 2014 1:54 PM
a time for reflection
Prayers and love to you all that peace comes soon.
I think this is a very testing time and yes, there is a lot of hate and anger being produced and we can see it more than anytime in our history because we are in the age of mass communication.
If beloved Israel was a human and looking at this through human eyes...it feels like Israel and the conflict is a catalyst that is forcing others to bring out their own feelings. Some of us will look within and think...what is really happening here? What is G-ds purpose in all this... what are we learning from this and do we have hate and anger in our hearts or is there a longer term goal?
(10) sientje Seinen, July 28, 2014 2:01 AM
why the Jewish people are disliked
I believe the Jewish people are disliked because of to them were given the ten commandments and the world does not like to listen to the Word of God and His wisdom. their belief is do away with the Jews and that shows that the Lord G-d of Israel is weak and doesnt come to the defense of His people, but we who have come ot know Chriist know different that the Lord God loves Israel and ransomed captive Israel and will never leave her orforsake her, so if G-d is for us then who can be against us" to be friends with the world is enmity with God" so dont despair but put all your hope and trust in the Lord G-d of Israel.
(9) Ignatz, July 27, 2014 8:36 PM
a good point
As one of my friends likes to say (regarding our obsession with our media coverage): "End the Preoccupation!"
(8) Anonymous, July 27, 2014 8:27 PM
Don't be an isolationist
How sad that you can not see cause and effect. Israel must accept that there will be fallout from isolating Gaza from their position; regardless of the Arab faults, we must see Israel's faults too. I am a Jew, and I am ashamed at Israel's racism and elitism.
Anonymous, July 28, 2014 12:57 PM
Everyone is an ashamed Jew online
Gaza is not part of Israel, is not occupied and Israel wants no part of that stink hole. Therefore your comments are silly, wrong and more likely than not, lies - about you being a Jew
Yehudith Shraga, July 28, 2014 1:52 PM
The Legacy of the People of Israel.
Gaza strip is a part of the Land of Israel, it is occupied by Arabs and not wanting this part of the Land of Israel, is speaking an Evil tongue on the Legacy of the G-d!
It looks like "stink hole", because the G-d does not let the occupants of this part of the Land of Israel make a creative use of this part of the Holy Land. Parshat Massei, which we have read at the previous week, speaks clearly about the boarders of the Land of Israel, which we have to own by force, Parshat Lekh-Lekha speaks about the complete territory of the Land of Israel, which will be presented to the People of Israel, when we will have become the Light to other nations.
As for being Jewish or not. In the morning blessings we thank the G-d that we are not of the other nations' origin, we do not thank the G-d for being Jews, because becoming a Jew is the process of the spiritual development of all our life, and with the G-d's Help we are going to succeed. It is Him, who would tell each and everyone, who has managed to reach that High, as to have an Honor to be called a Jew.
The Sages teach, that each and every person is created of two parts, one is the ego=body=other nations, the other is altruism=soul=Israel, each day we wake up to make all the possible efforts to strengthen the Israel part in our character and to diminish the influence of the egoistic trends in our personality.
Being a Jew is living a life according Torah and Mitzvot for the sake of bestowing=for the sake of correction of our getting nature into the bestowing one.
We are not missionaries, but we welcome the people of other nations who joins us for this Nobel Purpose and we know to differ the people of good will between the other nations from those how wish to turn the world to its primordial state.
We have our spiritual Legacy, and the Life according to the values of Torah, the Unity of the Jewish nation as well the Land of Israel are indivisible Parts of this Legacy.
(7) Jacqueline A. Brinson, July 27, 2014 8:02 PM
Do not doubt that Americans do not care, we do!
The media is used to hide those in the United States who are Christians and who care for you and realize Hamas has a way around the truth. Your in our prayers. We visited you in 2008. It was beautiful. Thank you. God bless.
(6) Rivka, July 27, 2014 7:56 PM
I agree with this article. We need NOT worry about world opinion and finger pointing - WE are HASHEM'S NATION guarding and defending HIS LAND. Do these vicious people who do "evil" worry about world opinion, hardly?! Our job is STAND UP to world opinion, NOT WORRY about it...
(5) cheryl, July 27, 2014 7:15 PM
Eyes on God
Areminder to keep our eyes and ears on G-D and let him worry about public image, how to "Win" how to strategize and use His Power, not rely on Anything Else. All else is distracting us from the true source of absolute success! Let all this leave from occupying y our time & mind, and PRAY for the Peace of Jerusalem and Israel. Thats only important and most powerful component!!
(4) Hanne Hansen, July 27, 2014 6:07 PM
This article is SO true and important!
Amen! Keep on doing what you feel is right. Defend yourself! Don`t let media stop you. We are many that support you, also. And most important is that Adonai Himself is supporting you and your struggle for your and His Land! Be blessed!!!
(3) howard, July 27, 2014 3:17 PM
Exactly
I have been saying this for years. World Public Opinion is an weapon of the enemy., There is no wining that game. Israel must do what needs to be done to proitecxt itself and care not about World Public Opionion
(2) scott, July 27, 2014 1:17 PM
Exactly
G*d was pretty clear that we would be the smallest of nations and no one would like us. It's really that simple.
So when we spend so much time trying to appease our critics aren't we really trying to contradict the word of Hashem?
I've come to believe that the world projects their thoughts and reactions on us. When the nations treat us horribly, they expect us to react vengefully without regard from human life as they do. 9/11-three thousand and change americans murdered. The response...the deaths of more than half a million and the destruction of two countries, the destruction of american civil liberties and a general homicidal hatred of religious muslims by the american right. The US bombed the crud out of it's enemies in every war killing civilians by the tens of thousands.
They expect us to do the same.
It doesn't occur to them that there has never been nor will there ever be a people so upset about taking the lives, innocent or not, of our enemies. Even those bent on destroying us.
Our relationship with Hashem makes us a better people than they are and we should stop looking for their approval.
"Do not rely on the promises of mortal man...."
cindy, July 28, 2014 6:32 AM
Bravo, loved your comment.We dont need to understand Gods workings, we only have to know that everything is for our good
(1) Yehudith Shraga, July 27, 2014 1:11 PM
North Korea, Iran Held Responsible for Hezbollah Rocket Fire
Landmark victory for Israel in US court, as Shurat Hadin case results in loss for Hezbollah and its sponsors.
Legal rights group Shurat HaDin has won a landmark legal victory this past week, in a lawsuit filed in the US against Hezbollah, North Korea, and Iran.
Shurat HaDin, which specializes in claims against international terrorist organizations and their sponsors, secured a victory for Israel last week, in which a US court found North Korea and Iran liable for damages caused to Israel by a series of rocket attacks on Israel from Lebanon in 2006.
The ruling was in response to a lawsuit filed in 2009 by Shurat HaDin in the name of Chaim Kaplan, and on behalf of the survivors and families of victims hit by Hezbollah's rockets.
Hopefully the next in line are Hamas and Qatar together with Northen Korea, Iran, Iraq and some others between the critics of Israel through all the world.