Hostages or Prisoners? How American Media Skews Palestinian News
Hostages or Prisoners? How American Media Skews Palestinian News
Israeli captives without military attire
In the wake of the recent conflict in Gaza, the American media's choice of words and the narratives they promote have come under scrutiny. The term "hostages" is frequently used to describe all Israelis held by Hamas in their latest offensive. However, examining this language reveals a significant bias that distorts the current crisis.
The Power of Terminology
The American news outlet, Mondoweiss, first drew attention to the fact that Israeli soldiers held by Hamas should be referred to as "prisoners of war." This distinction is particularly critical as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared a full-scale war on Gaza. On the other hand, civilians taken captive are aptly labeled as "hostages."
A Deep-Seated Conflict
It's essential to recognize that this conflict did not start at 6:30 AM on October 7, 2023. Israel has occupied both the West Bank and Gaza for nearly six decades, during which hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been arrested and imprisoned, often without even nominal trials.
A History of Oppression
Nathan Thrall's eye-opening book, "A Day in the Life of Abd Salameh," highlights the Israeli occupation of Palestine through the tragedy of a single family. Thrall notes that between 1967 and 1993, around 700,000 Palestinian men and boys were detained in the West Bank, amounting to approximately 40% of the region's population.
Shedding Light on Palestinian Lives
While Israelis continue to detain Palestinians for extended periods without fair trials, mainstream American media refrains from referring to these individuals as "hostages."
Double Standards
James North, a writer at Mondoweiss, points out the double standards practiced by American media in distorting the crisis. They often use one-sided language, ignoring historical context in Israel/Palestine. This portrayal paints the Gaza attack as an unjust wave of violence and Jewish hatred.
Linguistic Bias
At the very least, The New York Times and The Washington Post refer to armed Palestinians in Gaza as "militants." But many channels, including CNN and Fox News, label them as "terrorists."
The Role of Major U.S. News Outlets
Jeff Sharlet highlights linguistic bias, noting that CNN routinely calls Israelis "the people" while labeling Palestinians as "Palestinians."
The Ignored Reasons
Major American media outlets often neglect to discuss the underlying causes behind the recent attack.
Selective Reporting
As the coverage of the new conflict continued into its second day, the bias increased. Cable networks conducted exclusive interviews with Israeli "victims" while largely ignoring Palestinians.
The Media and the Recent Attack
American media's skewed representation also extends to maps. During the weekend, CNN aired a map that used the colors of the Israeli flag as the background, portraying the entire West Bank as under Palestinian control, a stark contrast to the reality of Israeli military checkpoints.
A Different Perspective
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh accused Israel of destroying the Al-Aqsa Mosque and continuing ethnic cleansing in the West Bank, allegations that went largely unreported in the major American cable networks.
Netanyahu's Failures
The American media significantly failed to discuss Prime Minister Netanyahu's colossal failure in preventing the recent attack, as well as the contributions of his far-right coalition to the disaster.
Conclusion
The choice of words and narratives used by American media when reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict raises concerns about fair and unbiased reporting. Understanding this bias is crucial for consumers of news who seek a comprehensive understanding of the situation.
