| What is bias? |
| - And how it affects us - |
| Bias in the media can be defined as "the publishing of an article which displays sympathy with one side." Instead of the offending report presenting the facts objectively, it has been distorted to favour one side and therefore condemn the other side. News reporting is supposed to be objective and impartial. The media's coverage of events has great influence on the publics perception of what is going on. You may be wondering why it is so important that the Australian public know the truth of what happens in Israel when Israel is so far away? |
| High levels of Anti Israel rhetoric in the media have both an immediate impact as well as creating long term damage that threatens the very existence of the Australian Jewish community, as well as the modern State of Israel. The Australian public in general knows that Israel is the Jewish country. By comparison, if Egypt suffers bad press, it is an Arab country. There are 22 Arab countries and many more Muslim nations. The actions of one Arab country do not necessarily reflect on all Arabs. But with Israel, it is always "the Jews." When "the Jewish Country" is slandered as a killer of rock throwing children, an illegal occupier of other peoples lands, an imperialist power practicing apartheid and a murderer of babies, so too are the Jews world wide likewise slandered. |
| The immediate effect in Australia is a rise in anger against Jews for "these terrible things they do." Since the current wave of Palestinian violence in Israel and the accompanying media distortions, Western Australia has seen an attack on a Jewish community centre where shots were fired. In Canberra a packed Synagogue was firebombed during a prayer service. Elsewhere in NSW, a rabbi's home and Sukkah were firebombed. In all States of Australia there has been a sharp rise in anti Semitic incidents and a sharp rise in security costs. |
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| Amongst the many outcomes of the long-term damage is the harm to the self-esteem of our youth. Their Jewish identity is assaulted with every anti Israel media attack. How can they be expected to be proud of their Jewish heritage when being Jewish is being associated with being "a killer of rock throwing children, an illegal occupier of other peoples lands, a supporter of an imperialist power practicing apartheid and a murderer of babies"? These lies lead to self-hatred. This is the time bomb now being planted. In 20 years, how many of today's young will bring their children up as Jews? How many are trying to distance themselves from being Jewish even now? |
| In 20 years, will it even be safe to be Jewish in the Western world anyway? All it takes is for good people to remain silent and hate will thrive! |
| The Western media's anti Israel distortions only took 12 months from the time of the outbreak of the current Palestinian violence to encourage anti-Semitism to rise to levels not seen since the holocaust. At the United Nations World Conference Against Racism in Durban, anti Semitic rhetoric by speakers was suddenly the norm rather than a rare exception. Delegates were bombarded with nazi-like propaganda, anti Semitic caricatures and hate material. Jewish delegates were shouted down, verbally and physically attacked and constantly intimidated. The Western media had been interpreted by many as having given the green light to anti Semitism and our enemies did not waste a minute in taking advantage of the situation. |
| These incidents are frighteningly similar to those that preceded the holocaust and so many other anti semitic progroms. Even the unthinkable scenes like Kristalnacht appear to be repeating themselves. In anticipation of Durban, in August 2001, over 200 Arabs from the suburbs of Paris ran riot down the Champs Elysees screaming "Death to the Jews!" and "Destroy Israel!" The Arabs chased and assaulted scores of Jews and tourists who tried to escape. It took over an hour for the riot police to arrive and disperse the angry mob. The incident was only mentioned in the French media, and even there it was presented only as "fights amongst youths." |
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| From the above examples, one can clearly see that anti Israel bias is also incitement to hate Jews. If we leave it unchallenged, we only end up giving those who are twisted by hatred a ready made scapegoat to attack. |
| OZ Media Maccabee site guide |
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