This continues the media’s tale of David and Goliath, which is used often in describing the conflict. It is disturbing every single time, for it presents the Palestinians as heroes and Israel as a villain at all costs. This time, however, a line was crossed. When placing a bomb on a bus or stabbing a police officer who did nothing but be in the wrong place at the wrong time, is being presented as “an act of despair,” this narrative becomes dangerous.
These events must be called for what they are: acts of terror. It is the media’s responsibility to report the reality. At times, it transgresses in telling the story from a certain, narrow, perspective, but not calling “terror” by its name is almost a crime. It is an approval for more attacks. It opens a window of opportunities for terrorists to strike again and next time, there may not be an alert citizen on the bus to clear everyone out before the bomb explodes.
The press must recognize its responsibilities in this matter. Legitimizing terror in any way causes more terror. It may be an act of despair on their behalf, the “Peace Talks” may be at a dead end and the Palestinians do want their independence, but this in no way justifies killing innocent civilians. We are also a part of this everlasting negotiation. Some Israelis are also frustrated and tired of living under an existential threat. But what would happen if an Israeli would place a bomb on a Palestinian bus? Would it be also referred to as “an act of despair?” It most likely won’t, for even now, when the IDF responds to attacks on Israel, foreign media presents it as a one-sided attack.
In the name of the David and Goliath narrative, where Palestinians are good and weak and the IDF is strong and evil, the media constantly title acts by the IDF as “offense” and acts by Palestinians as “defense.” As terror escalates, this must come to an end. Terror must be called for what it is, even at the risk of destroying the house of cards on which foreign media built their story.
