Subject: Arutz-7 Lexicon: Part II
Date:    Thu, 14 May 1998 00:26:37 +0000
To:      "Hebraic Heritage Newsgroup"<heb_roots_chr@geocities.com>

 

From:          Arutz-7 Editor <editor7@virtual.co.il>
To:            arutz-7@ploni.virtual.co.il
Subject:       Arutz-7 Lexicon: Part II


Arutz-7 recently published a lexicon of terminology used in its news
broadcasts.  The collection was written by the head of Arutz-7's Hebrew
News Department, Haggai Segal.  The following is a translation of the
second half of the lexicon; the first installment was published some weeks
ago.  Bear in mind that the lexicon was compiled for the use of Hebrew
broadcasters, to an Israeli audience; the Arutz-7 English department, with
additional factors to take into consideration, is sometimes guided more by
the spirit of the lexicon than by its actual recommendations.  Enjoy!

* * * * 

1. Amman, Ras el-Amud - Sites with a Hebrew name will be thus cited on
Arutz-7.  Other media sources may say Amman, while our [Hebrew] broadcasts
will call it Rabbat Ammon.  We will even insist on saying Mt. of Olives,
and not Ras el-Amud; Kfar HaShilo'ach [adjacent to the Old City] instead of
Silwan; the Mashbir Junction [in northern Jerusalem] and not the A-Ram
junction; etc.

2. Believers - The exclusivity granted Moslems for this term has become
downright tiring.  For instance, we seem to hear quite often how "tens of
thousands of Moslem believers arrived at El Aksa mosque for prayers today."
 We Jews are also believers; we even preceded the others!

3. Breakthrough - This is a propaganda term used by the left to prettify
Israeli capitulations at the negotiating table.  When an Israeli concession
allows the resumption of talks with the Syrians, the Voice of Israel
headlines are, "Breakthrough in the Oslo Talks."  On Arutz-7, we use a much
more accurate terminology: "A Significant Development in the Diplomatic
Process."  (see: Progress in the Peace Talks)

4. Coalition blackmail - When an Arab Knesset faction receives a small
fortune in benefits following coalition negotiations with a left-wing
government, the general media report that "an agreement has been reached
between the Finance Ministry and the Knesset Members of the United Arab
List."  When bankrupt kibbutzim of the secular left extract 15 billion shekels from the
State coffers, the headlines feature the "Kibbutz Debts Arrangement."  On
the other hand, the transfer of 20-30 million shekels to Yeshivot or Yesha
settlements is always described as "blackmail."  Arutz-7 is unwilling to
lend a hand to this fraud, and will erase this word from our lexicon.  The
transfer of sums to or for a religious party will heretofore be called an
"arrangement" or "agreement."

5. Evacuation of Settlements - The codeword "evacuation" is designed to
calm the pangs of conscience of those who know that the issue is really one
of "expulsion."  It furthermore serves to get the public used to the
concept of uprooting Jewish settlements.  No politician has the courage to
recommend an "expulsion order," for it simply sounds illegal and immoral.
Instead, the airy term "evacuation" was conceived.  Arutz-7 will punctually
use the true terms: "expulsion," "uprooting," and even "transfer."

6. Extremist, Extreme Right-wing - Various conjugations of the word
"extremist" are standard fare for leftists when discussing bearded Jews who
refuse to be the suckers of the Oslo process.  Interestingly, the Law of
Analysis of Popular Opinion establishes that there must be an equal number
of extremists on both sides.  For instance, if Rabbi Moshe Levinger of
Hevron is one kilometer right of center, there must be some anti-Levinger a
kilometer left of center - Uri Avnery, for instance.  On Arutz-7,
therefore, we will use the term "extremist" equally for radical leftists as
well as for former Kach activists.

7. Freeze, Stall - If a long period goes by without Israel retreating from
a piece of its homeland in favor of the Arabs, this does not automatically
imply headlines such as, "Diplomatic Process is Frozen" or "Dead End in the
Middle East."  In most cases, it would be more accurate to report that
"Negotiations Continue as Israel Stands Firm on its Interests," or
possibly, "Talks Temporarily Suspended Because of Arab Intransigence."

8. Handful - This is a common quantitative term used by the left-wing media
to describe right-wing demonstrations of less than a few hundred
participants.  Compare this to three left-wing demonstrators opposite the
house of Binyamin Netanyahu, who are bestowed with the prestigious title
"protest vigil."  In Arutz-7, we will not do the opposite.  We will simply
try to be accurate.

9. Hate Proclamation - Of late, every right-wing placard posted anywhere
the public can see it merits the title "right-wing invective" or
"proclamation of hate," no matter how politely it may be worded.  Arutz-7
will certainly not use this anti-democratic term, unless the announcement
contains curses, threats or character assassination.

10. Incident - This word is derived from the same root as, and is
reminiscent of, coincidence.  Since the Arab rioters in Yesha attack our
soldiers purposely, and not incidentally, Arutz-7 Hebrew radio will not
broadcast items such as, "Soldiers were attacked in two incidents in Hevron
today," but rather, "Two Arab assaults on soldiers in Hevron today..."

11. Locals, natives - Why is this term used only for Arab residents of
Yesha? Arutz-7 feels that the Jews there are also locals!

12. Media - It is permitted to politely attack specific media outlets (if
necessary), but not to attack "the press" in general.  After all, we are
also "the press!"

13. Moderate - Ten measures of moderacy were bestowed upon the world, and
all of them have been commandeered by those in favor of a Palestinian state
in Israel.  The time has come to reclaim some of this moderacy, and to
bestow this honorific title also on those who moderately object to a
Palestinian state, and to those who gently do everything they can against
the expulsion of Jewish settlers from their homes.  The reporters of
Arutz-7, for instance, are much more moderate than our left-wing colleagues
who are not willing to give up on their demand for the destruction of most
of the Yesha settlements.  We, on the other hand, are willing to accept
their continued existence forever.

14. Palestinian - In most of the media, the word Palestinian is used
specifically to refer to the Ishmaelites living within Judea, Samaria, and
Gaza, while their brethren within "little Israel" are called Arabs.  This
not only reeks of pure politics, it is also laughable.  For instance, is
Arafat's advisor Ahmed Tibi [an Israeli citizen] an Arab or a Palestinian?
If there is such a thing as a Palestinian nation, then it lives in the
Galilee no less than in Yesha.  Arutz-7 will use the terms interchangeably:
Palestinians from Yesha will often be called Arabs, while their brothers in
Jaffa will sometimes be called Palestinians.

15. The Palestinian Police - This is an under-description for a fighting
force that is 40,000-strong, armed with tens of thousands of submachine
guns, machine guns, and even armored cars.  Arutz-7 calls this force the
Palestinian Police Army or the Palestinian Paramilitary Police Force.  A
member of the force will not be called by Arutz-7 a policeman, but rather a
Palestinian fighter.

16. Peace Process - At Arutz-7, we are very careful to use the modest term
"diplomatic process" or "negotiations."  It has not yet exactly been proven
that the diplomatic contacts between Israel and the Arabs are in fact a
peace process; they may be nothing more than a lead-in to war.

17. Public uproar - Please think twice before using this dramatic term.  In
general, it is justified whenever a significant portion of the public - and
not just the community of reporters - is in an uproar about something.

18. Safe passage - This term refers to the planned transportation route
between Gaza and Judea/Samaria, passing through sovereign Israeli
territory, without the possibility of Israeli supervision.  This passage is
about as "safe" as a crosswalk on a race track: the drivers are in no
danger whatsoever.  Accordingly, we shall not use this term, but will
prefer "land-based corridor between the two sections of the autonomy."

19. Settler, settlement - Those who live on Kibbutzim are not ashamed of
the designation Kibbutznikim, despite their tremendous debts to the State
coffers.  All the more so should the residents of Yesha proudly bear the
Biblical-Zionist appellation "settlers."  On the other hand, it is
permitted to diversify a little and use terms such as "citizens of Efrat,"
"residents of Kedumim," and the like.

20. Territories - This is the derogatory term used by the left for the
areas liberated during the Six-Day War.  This word is taboo on Arutz-7.  By
the way, Gaza, Shechem, Hevron, etc. are not the Diaspora.  We should
therefore not refer to "workers who come from Gaza to Israel," but rather,
"workers who were allowed to enter sovereign Israel area from Gaza," or
"the borders of little Israel."  This is a bit involved and complex, but it
will be worth it in the end.

21. Terrorist - An Arab fighter who is not a soldier in an organized army.
Thus, a 14-year old youth who hurls Molotov cocktails upon Israeli cars
will be called nothing less than a "terrorist" in our broadcasts.  When he
"only" throws stones, we can suffice with the term "rioter," but certainly
not "demonstrator."  The reason is simply because these intifada-like
activities are not only peaceful demonstrations, but an inseparable part of
the long blood-soaked dispute been Israel and those who would destroy her.

* * *The entire lexicon (both installments) can be seen at our web site, at
http://www.a7.org/lexicon.htm

Readers who do not have access to the internet may request an e-mail copy
of the entire lexicon.  Merely send us an e-mail with the words "Entire
Lexicon, Please" in the subject line.

____________________________________________________________
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