In their versions of the West Bank, not a single Palestinian makes a choice. They are only shown as victims, there to be pitied and filmed. And no Israeli is shown as a real person.
Too often, politicians don't go there to discover the truth—they go there to reinforce the conclusions they've already reached. The itinerary simply becomes a way of validating the narrative they intended to tell before they even arrived.
One other thought. I understand why the Palestinian side and much of the international media call it the "West Bank." But why are we doing the same? Why aren't we consistently referring to it as Judea and Samaria, the historical names? These things matter. Language shapes perception, and perception shapes public opinion.
Sometimes I think our side loses as much in messaging as it does anywhere else. We need to become far more disciplined and strategic in how we present our own history.
I also prefer our historic Judea and Samaria, but at least the “West Bank” is a geographic term, and not the pejorative “Occupied Territories” our political enemies love to use.
If he announced his visit he would have been treated differently than Palestinians. I’m a Zionist and all I can think of is you guys are angry you couldn’t hide the truth. If the occupation is the cause of suffering then why would he care about humanizing settlers? It is a complete wrong and it caused the mother’s heartache, not October 7. The world doesn’t care about semantics
Like Judea vs West Bank. Only right wing Israelis do. 99 percent of the world is against it but you want to argue language as if it will change the pictures of settlers beating villagers. Sometimes I’m embarrassed by my peoples fetish for abstract arguments in the face of real world catastrophes. You might win the West Bank now and lose Israel in 10 years and the safety of all
Good article, and I think you're 100% right.
Too often, politicians don't go there to discover the truth—they go there to reinforce the conclusions they've already reached. The itinerary simply becomes a way of validating the narrative they intended to tell before they even arrived.
One other thought. I understand why the Palestinian side and much of the international media call it the "West Bank." But why are we doing the same? Why aren't we consistently referring to it as Judea and Samaria, the historical names? These things matter. Language shapes perception, and perception shapes public opinion.
Sometimes I think our side loses as much in messaging as it does anywhere else. We need to become far more disciplined and strategic in how we present our own history.
Agreed Frederick. Calling the West Bank by its historical names of Judea and Samaria is important
I agree with your assessment on using the correct name Judea and Samaria. When you call it the West Bank you take away the truth and it's history.
I also prefer our historic Judea and Samaria, but at least the “West Bank” is a geographic term, and not the pejorative “Occupied Territories” our political enemies love to use.
These kind of trouble makers should not have been allowed to enter the State of Israel in the first place.
Notice my comment on the West Bank. I am spreading your word
Many are not fooled by his actions.
These kind of trouble makers should not have been allowed to enter the State of Israel in the first place.
If he announced his visit he would have been treated differently than Palestinians. I’m a Zionist and all I can think of is you guys are angry you couldn’t hide the truth. If the occupation is the cause of suffering then why would he care about humanizing settlers? It is a complete wrong and it caused the mother’s heartache, not October 7. The world doesn’t care about semantics
Like Judea vs West Bank. Only right wing Israelis do. 99 percent of the world is against it but you want to argue language as if it will change the pictures of settlers beating villagers. Sometimes I’m embarrassed by my peoples fetish for abstract arguments in the face of real world catastrophes. You might win the West Bank now and lose Israel in 10 years and the safety of all
Jews forever
These kind of trouble makers should not have been allowed to enter the State of Israel in the first place.
These kind of trouble makers should not have been allowed to enter the State of Israel in the first place.