Today: March 12, 2010

 

Israel and the PR Battle

Posted: Mon 8th February 2010 2.23 PM  | Author: Flame

I challenge anyone to name a country that receives more negative press worldwide than Israel.  The truth is, no other country even comes close.  This is what makes the amazingly positive coverage of Israel's relief efforts in Haiti all the more gratifying.

We who support her know of Israel's many accomplishments, from the realms of technology, to agriculture, to philanthropy.  As we also know all too well, though, most of the world sees Israel as a purveyor of human rights atrocities, an occupier and a tyrant.

Yet once again Israel has proven herself to be anything BUT the above.  Just ask the people of Haiti.  Time and again Israel has been accused of a disproportionate response when faced with Palestinian rockets and terrorism.  Yet when describing Israel's efforts in Haiti, for once the term disproportionate would be an accurate one. 

Israel's field hospital and search and rescue teams have rightfully garnered praise from the media.  Israel is saving Haitian lives on a daily basis.  On the other hand, the response from the Arab world has been meager at best.  Naturally, this hasn't received much, if any interest from the media. 

Not only has Israel been hard at work in Haiti, but Israel has also been hard at work bringing 82 more Ethiopian Jews to the Holy Land.  Hundreds more are expected to follow over the coming months.  How many of the world's countries would similarly welcome a black African community?  For that matter, how many Arab nations welcome Palestinian refugees?  (Answer: None.)

Even during this apparent respite from the world's wrath, criticism of Israel has not been completely muted.  Surprise, surprise, but the BBC (that bastion of even-handedness and unbiased reporting) could not give it a rest.  In an unabashedly one-sided documentary, the BBC denies a Jewish right to the eastern parts of Jerusalem, even going so far as to rewrite history. 

This BBC film serves as yet another proof that even when Israel comes to the rescue of fellow members of humanity, her enemies find time to slander her.  By all means let us share in the pride that Israelis must feel as a result of the Jewish state's astounding accomplishments in Haiti.  But we must also share the commitment never to cease our efforts to tell Israel's true, inspiring and just story to the world.

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