On September 30, 2000, newspapers around the world printed a horrifying picture- an injured college student kneeling in front of an Israeli policeman who was waving a riot baton. The caption identified the bleeding victim as a Palestinian demonstrator and created the impression that the scowling Israeli had beaten the young man. But in reality, the student was an American Jew who had been attacked by a crowd of Palestinians. The Israeli policeman was the rescuer, not the oppressor. Although the officials who circulated the picture later apologized for their mistake, the incident angered the Jewish community and its supporters. Jewish leaders worried that distortions of the truth- like the misleading photo- would tarnish Israel's image and weaken support within the United States.

The Battle for the Truth

Alex Safian continues to worry. As the director of the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America (CAMERA), he monitors the media to prevent biased reporting about events in Israel. For example, one CAMERA study accused the Los Angeles Times of writing unfair headlines. Because readers often look at a headline without reading the full story, a headline can influence opinions easily. The study demonstrated that when Israelis acted against Palestinians, headlines in the LA Times usually identified Israelis as the perpetrators. In contrast, when Palestinians acted against Israelis, the headlines usually did not identify the Palestinians. To the casual reader, therefore, it could seem that Israelis were always responsible for Middle East violence. (See the sidebar for examples of unbalanced headlines and tips on becoming a "headline hunter.")

Safian describes CAMERA's work as a battle for the truth. "When Israel is under attack," he says, "we must counter the false charges and then go on the offensive with our message." Jewish teens, he adds, can be instrumental in winning the clash for the truth.

Israel Is "Write On"

Arielle Anhalt and Daniel Goldmintz, both 17 years old, are Israel advocates-in-training. "I felt a real sense of frustration when the violence in Israel began," says Daniel, who is a junior at Yeshiva University High School for Boys in New York City.

"I've always had a strong connection to Israel, but since I live 6,000 miles away, I wondered how I could help during this crisis." Arielle felt the same. "The events of the world, including 9/11 and the situation in Israel, motivated me to act," says the energetic student at the Ramaz School in New York City. "By speaking out for Israel, I can make a difference."

Arielle and Daniel demonstrate their concern for and love of Israel by participating in Write On For Israel, a new two-year program for high school journalists. The Jewish Week, a newspaper serving New York City, developed the program to empower kids to become effective advocates through writing, broadcasting, and public speaking. Write On For Israel participants attend seminars to explore Jewish history and Zionism, and to learn to root out media bias. They will conclude the first year's training with a 10-day mission to Israel this summer.

When the teen journalists return from Israel and start volunteering in the Jewish community, they will take their places on the front lines of Israel advocacy. "We know what we want to say," explains Arielle, "and we're going to work together for a common cause- Israel."

Zoom In
“Headline Hunters” Wanted
Train yourself to recognize unbalanced headlines that reflect a prejudice against Israel. By manipulating the active and passive voice of a headline, newspapers can sway public opinion. (“Voice” indicates who or what is acting.) For example, when the subject performs the action, a headline is in the active voice—“Israel Corners a Defiant Arafat” (Los Angeles Times, March 30, 2002). Here, it is clear that Israel is the actor.

But when the subject receives the action, a headline is in the passive voice—“Bomb Found in Ambulance, Army Says” (Los Angeles Times, March 28, 2002). In this example, readers don’t know who planted the bomb—Palestinian terrorists presumably.

You should be suspicious if a newspaper uses headlines in the active voice more often when describing Israeli actions than when describing Palestinian actions. This unbalance can cause readers to conclude that Israelis are aggressors and Palestinians are victims.

Keep a logbook of your newspaper’s Israel-related headlines. If you discover unbalanced headlines, write the editor to object. See babaganewz.com for a sample letter.