BBC's "Attack" on Israel

Haya Zissel (Hy"d)

Here is a great example of how the BBC bends over backwards to undermine any sympathy for Israel (Click HERE). It begins with the headline - Jerusalem Car "Attack" Kills Baby at Rail Station.

Considering that there is clear video evidence that the driver swerved on purpose, is a member of Hamas, has served time for terrorist activities before, and attempted to flee the scene, it is hard to understand why "attack" is in quotation marks.

Then in the the article, "terrorist attack" and "terrorism" are in quotation marks, because even attacks on Jewish babies cannot be termed terrorism. At worst, it was an "attack" by a "militant" and at best, this is all because of the Jewish settlements.

The article states that "unconfirmed reports suggest the driver was a Palestinians from East Jerusalem" when this was confirmed hours ago.  His name is Abdelrahman al-Shaludi. I cannot confirm that he is a Palestinian or that he is a Muslim, but use your own judgement.

Then the BBC does what Israel-haters and the Left love to do - they blame this "attack" on the "Cycle of Violence." I think that there is no trope that is more cliched or less true than this.  There is no "Cycle of Violence."  When the three teenage boys were kidnapped and murdered a few months ago, this was not part of a cycle, it was a criminal act and an incitement to violence.  Sure, this may have set off a round of violence, but it was not part of some extra-temporal "cycle" where both sides are equally to blame. In reality, if the Palestinians renounce violence, espouse peace, recognize Jewish rights to this land, and negotiate in good faith then a solution to the conflict can certainly be attained.

If there is any cycle which can be attributed to the conflict, it is the "Grievance Cycle" which is constantly being fed by the media - the one group with a clear and undeniable interest in a neverending conflict  

A Zionism of Inclusion

Captain Elinor Joseph - One of many Arab-Israeli Christians serving in the Israel Defense Forces

Perhaps no national movement has been as maligned or misunderstood as Zionism, the struggle for the self-determination of the Jewish people. In this article, Einat Wilf deftly discusses how the Zionist narrative has changed over time to include disparate groups and the nasecent signs that it continues to broaden its inclusive reach.

 While the section on Muslim inclusion may seem far-fetched, problematic, or overly optimistic at this time, I was heartened a few months back at the outrage of the Israeli-Arab communities in the Wadi Ara/Triangle region when it was suggested that they become part of a future Palestinian state as part of reciprocal land transfers in any final agreement. Even though they have been outspoken and vocal critics of Israel and would not be required to leave their home or lose their lands, it was clear that this was not something that they considered in any way to be a viable option.

In short, given a choice between joining the independent Palestine that they have long been advocating for or staying in a democratic Israel, it became undeniably clear that they much preferred the latter option to the former. Similarly, though they do not say so directly, you can be sure that the vast majority of the Druze in the Golan are thanking their lucky stars that they are not a part of Syria right now.

To read the article, click HERE