In a great example of the media’s use of language to blur moral differences within the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, The Economist expanded the common understanding of the word “militant” – a word fancied by those fearing “terrorist” is too judgmental a term for those committing violence for political ends – to include Jews wanting to peacefully pray at Judaism’s holiest site.
An article published on Nov. 17th titled ‘The trouble at the Mount‘ included the following passage:
THE Temple Mount in Jerusalem is one of the world’s most explosive bits of real-estate. It has started to rumble again in recent weeks, with demands by Jewish militants to extend prayer rights, riots by Palestinians and the killing of several Israelis in knife or car-ramming attacks.
So, the term “Jewish militant” includes:
1. A Jew who wishes to extend prayer rights to Jews at the Temple Mount, Judaism’s holiest site.
Further in the article, the term is used again.
On the religious front, Jewish militants have stepped up their visits to the Haram, often to pray surreptitiously (for instance by pretending to speak into mobile phones).
So, now, the term “Jewish militant” includes:
1. A Jew who wishes to extend prayer rights to Jews at the Temple Mount, Judaism’s holiest site.
2. A Jew who insidiously engages in Jewish prayer at the Judaism’s holiest site while “pretending to speak into mobile phones”.
However, that’s not all. The term is actually used a third time, in the following passage:
Moreover, privately financed militant groups have been buying houses in the heart of Palestinian neighbourhoods, which have in any case largely been cut off from their hinterland in the West Bank by Israel’s security barrier.
So, now, the term “Jewish militant” includes:
1. A Jew who wishes to extend prayer rights to Jews at the Temple Mount, Judaism’s holiest site.
2. A Jew who insidiously engages in Jewish prayer at the Judaism’s holiest site while “pretending to speak into mobile phones”.
3. A Jew who – as part of a “privately financed” group – buys a home in a previously non-Jewish neighborhood in Jerusalem.
Though there are good practical reasons for maintaining the status quo at the Temple Mount (where Jews can visit but not pray), it’s difficult to fathom how the British magazine can justify using a term which refers to those “favouring confrontational or violent methods in support of a political cause” to characterize Jews peacefully campaigning for the right to pray.
Related articles
- The battle over Jerusalem and the Temple Mount (CAMERA.org)
