Media Unintentionally Acknowledge Lies on Israel and 'International Law'
Coverage of a decision by the International Court of Justice shows what They Stand Corrected has been reporting.
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In recent days, I’ve heard from so many listeners about an opinion issued by the International Court of Justice. The court, which does not deserve its name, went beyond slamming so-called Israeli “settlements” in a stretch of land known as the “West Bank.”
The justices even condemned Jewish sovereignty at the holiest sites in Judaism.
In Episode 16, I explain what happened — and what it says about the media.
Here’s a great post from Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York:
As I explained in Episode 3, for years the media have been breaking one of the most basic rules in journalism by declaring, as though it’s a fact, that Israel is in violation of “international law.”
Now, in this new reporting, media outlets are acknowledging that the ICJ has given an opinion for the first time. This means that news organizations never had a basis for the false reports they have been putting out for decades.
And because the ICJ only gives non-binding opinions, it remains inaccurate to state that Israel is in violation of international law.
Other facts you don’t hear in the news:
The “West Bank” has its name because Jordan occupied it. (Episode 8)
There are “occupied” territories all over the world. Meanwhile, Gaza does not meet traditional definitions of “occupied.” Israel left in 2005. (Episode 1)
The Palestinian Authority, which controls Palestinian areas of the West Bank, admitted in paperwork about Jericho last year that the Israeli occupation period ended in 1994. (Episode 1)
What you can do
The next time you see or hear any news agency state, as though it’s a fact, that Israel is in violation of “international law” in the West Bank, look up the email addresses of the top executives and send a note like this:
Your report stated, as though it’s a fact, that Israel is in violation of “international law” in the West Bank. As the podcast They Stand Corrected has explained, that question is entirely a matter of opinion, and only the tiny handful of people who are experts in international laws and the specific land agreements involved should be weighing in.
It’s a basic rule of journalism that when any person or entity is accused of violating a law, you state clearly that there is an “accusation” or “allegation,” and you provide a response from the person or entity being accused. Why do you drop this basic rule when it comes to your coverage Israel? Please fix your reporting and reply to me immediately.
Even faster: Send me links! I reach out to heads of news agencies all the time. Paid subscribers can post in the comments below. Anyone else can find a form via my website, which will take you through the process of confirming your email address.
Thanks,
JL