In ‘PR’ war, we need professional aid

A discerning view of Gaza war coverage makes it evident that a cabal of Zionist-loving Jews do not control the media, even though members of our tribe are renowned contributors on various media platforms and are also big machers on the American public relations scene.

An over-the-top anti-Israel emphasis in recent news reporting is, of course, troublesome. But the disinclination of Israel’s supporters to mount a powerful public relations offensive is also a serious problem.

Where are the Jewish PR experts who might help the cause by inserting themselves into the news stream, both as fly-by “spin doctors” and as consultants to those leading our charge?

During the height of the fighting in Gaza, the Associated Press’ main photo stream offered editors around the world the opportunity to choose from several hundred images of devastation in Gaza and of angry protests against Israel and Jews around the word; the wire service offered barely any photos depicting life on the Israeli side of the border or of people supporting Israel and Jews. (Yes, people do support Israel.)

As journalists, we understand that all things being equal, photos of devastation at a site were children died will win the fight for front page real-estate over a scene of lesser trauma. But the almost complete lack of photos showing any discomfort (let alone suffering) in Israel removed both editorial discretion and necessary nuance.

During a recent visit to Tel Hashomer Hospital in Ramat Gan, our editor encountered soldiers in various stages of recovery, many seriously wounded in brutal Gaza fighting. Does the world understand that the conflict was not without cost to Israel, even beyond the Israeli lives that were lost? Actually no, and Israel’s press handlers appear determined to keep it that way, requesting that no photos be taken of injured soldiers, even if the soldiers wouldn’t mind.

In a universe of Twitter and Facebook and Instagram, this is off-the-field military malfeasance and those Jewish PR gurus we referenced earlier might teach a PR101 course to Israeli bureaucrats.

The world needs to see Israelis — Jews — as human beings shedding blood and tears in a necessary and just fight to live peacefully and securely in the land that G-d has given us.