The country I learned most about in addition to finding the most interesting was the presentation on Israel. The first reason for this, is because I feel the media, along with possibly many others issues, is commonly overlooked when it comes to reporting on the country. When we hear about Israel in news, which is frequent as they are both our allies and because of the United State’s large jewish population, it is almost exclusively regarding the ongoing conflict with Palestine. Not to say this is not a serious issue or does not deserves coverage, but the aspect of media is rarely, if ever, brought up. This gives the country a separation from the Middle East and North Africa, in which high media censorship and civil rights problem are constantly discussed when the countries reported on in by Western media. Keeping this separation in mind, I feel that many Americans would not question Israeli media or possible government censorship. As I learned from the presentation, this both is and is not the case.
The reason for this double standard is that although Israel does have media censorship, it is not only minimal, especially compared to other countries in the Middle East and North Africa, but also justified. This is because the standard of using censorship is only when the countries national security is at risk. As Palestine has undoubtedly proven to be in a constant battle with Israel, this concern, and subsequently censorship the countries had because of it, is valid. In addition, it could also be argued that the United States has acted in similar ways. For instance, following the 9/11 attacks, the U.S passed the Patriot Act, enabling them to access the activities and records of all U.S citizens under certain speculations (the need for “speculation” that would latter be disproven by Edward Snowden). This act, which I personally believe be to unconstitutional, shows how under distress the American people lost freedoms, just as the people of Israel have, due to being in a constant conflict with Palestine. This is another reason why censorship in Israel is not only justified, but also difficult to criticism from the point of view of an American citizen.
Although some many point out how Palestinian journalists are targeted by the government more than Israeli ones are, this does not deserve as much criticism as it could possibly get. At face value, it seems unfair that the government would do this. However, when put into context, although still not justified, it is not nearly as unfair as it seems. Following 9/11, many Americans were highly critical of the Muslim religion and Arab population as a whole, both in the United States and around the world. This was of course the wrong thing to do, however coming off that attacks that had just occurred, is it what happened nonetheless. Despite not having faced an attack on the scale of 9/11, being attacked as constantly as they have over the amount of time, creates the same mood and perception. Ultimately, I feel that we as Americans would not be justified in criticizing the targeting of Palestinian journalists, as the treatment of Muslims and Arabs in our country following 9/11 was just as bad, if not worse.
The reason for this double standard is that although Israel does have media censorship, it is not only minimal, especially compared to other countries in the Middle East and North Africa, but also justified. This is because the standard of using censorship is only when the countries national security is at risk. As Palestine has undoubtedly proven to be in a constant battle with Israel, this concern, and subsequently censorship the countries had because of it, is valid. In addition, it could also be argued that the United States has acted in similar ways. For instance, following the 9/11 attacks, the U.S passed the Patriot Act, enabling them to access the activities and records of all U.S citizens under certain speculations (the need for “speculation” that would latter be disproven by Edward Snowden). This act, which I personally believe be to unconstitutional, shows how under distress the American people lost freedoms, just as the people of Israel have, due to being in a constant conflict with Palestine. This is another reason why censorship in Israel is not only justified, but also difficult to criticism from the point of view of an American citizen.
Although some many point out how Palestinian journalists are targeted by the government more than Israeli ones are, this does not deserve as much criticism as it could possibly get. At face value, it seems unfair that the government would do this. However, when put into context, although still not justified, it is not nearly as unfair as it seems. Following 9/11, many Americans were highly critical of the Muslim religion and Arab population as a whole, both in the United States and around the world. This was of course the wrong thing to do, however coming off that attacks that had just occurred, is it what happened nonetheless. Despite not having faced an attack on the scale of 9/11, being attacked as constantly as they have over the amount of time, creates the same mood and perception. Ultimately, I feel that we as Americans would not be justified in criticizing the targeting of Palestinian journalists, as the treatment of Muslims and Arabs in our country following 9/11 was just as bad, if not worse.
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