We are currently hearing from many places about the public relations failures of Israel. I believe that it is not the failure by Israel to get the message out; it is the fault of the media and gullible individuals who decide not to pass the facts on.

It is the media that decides what will be dissipated and who will have the loudest voice. However, too many individuals who are reading and watching this content are not thinking critically. Too often they rely on what a famous individual has to say rather than examining the facts and establishing the actual (rather than the ideological) truth.

Regarding printed and online publications, one can write an articulate, fact-filled and easily understood letter to the editor. Of course, if it is not chosen to be printed, the contents are largely mute. The press decides what will appear on their pages, and, as is their right, how they want their readers to view and believe “reality.” It is the media that decides what will be dissipated and who will have the loudest voice.

This is true with Jewish and Israeli public relations. The most skillful messages can be written and illustrated, but without the media willing to make them known, they are for naught. Often the only ways that they can be disseminated is via paid advertisements or in-house organs, and even then, advertisements can and have been refused.

Too often what should be portrayed in black and white is presented in tones of grey. Many journalists search long and hard to find ways not to paint the bigots as the bigots they are, or to use less-offensive terminology. They use the words “biased” instead of bigoted, “progressive” instead of left-wing, and giving everyone’s perspective the unquestioned acceptance of being equivalent truths.

We must each act as public relations representatives of Israel to correct incorrect perceptions of what has and is going on. We should not let the media “slide,” because this is perceived as agreement or confirmation. We must become more vocal.

Howard J. Cohn
New Milford