Language is exceedingly important. Words are like double-edged swords because they cut both ways. Not only do they “describe” reality but they, with induce a virtual reality. Use a word often enough and it takes on a life of its own through the visual and contextual imagery the words connote.
It is rather ironic that the Arabs have used our own English language so masterfully against us. Yet, if one studies Arabic culture. Perhaps this is not so strange at all. Language is the artistic forte of Arabic culture. They have always venerated those of their people who are adept in elocution and conversation. In Arabic culture the “truth” of what is said is unimportant. What is important are the words themselves and the images those words convey.
It is now crucially important that we change this meme.
The Arabs have taken 3 words from the English language that have masterfully turned our own literature against Israel, even against the entire West. What are these three words? That are “occupation”. “Apartheid”, and “crusaders”. The Arabs propagandists have turned the meanings of these words inside-out so that they mean the exact opposite of reality.
In truth, in actuality, the West Bank areas that Israel controls are dipsuted areas that are subject to armistice discussions between the side that won the war and the Palestinians who lost several wars that they and their allies instigated.
Losing wars has consequences — except if they are lost by Arabs. We should stop using the word “occupation> I prefer “administrative area” but you may find a better word to describe the situation. Israel has LEGAL and MORAL rights to supervise the West Bank until the Palestinians accept reality and come to the table.
Similarly with the word “apartheid”. It is the height of chutzpa for the Palestinians to claim they are the victims of apartheid when millions of them live in Israel with full rights as Israeli citizens. What is even worse is that while they shout from the roof-tops that they are the victims of apartheid they brazenly proclaim that not a single Jew should live in the state the wish for themselves! Talk about turning reality inside out. They proclaim this with the full knowledge that they are projecting their own failure upon Israel. We must change the conversation. We must talk about Arab apartheid; Islamic apartheid. Muslim supremacy ambition. We must take our language back. We must never use the word “Arab” without insinuating the truth of ARAB APARTHEID in the phrase as well.
Finally the use by Arabs of the word “Crusaders” in describing the Western return to their Eastern lands during the early Middle-ages. The crusades were an attempt by Europeans to REGAIN their own lands that had been conquered by Islamic imperialist armies. The Crusades were a “reaction” to wars of true occupation on the part of Muslim armies. Certainly many Jews suffered from Christian atrocities during two of the crude but we were collateral damage when it came to the purpose of the crusades. I do not excuse those bigots that slaughtered many of our people during this years but the truth is the truth. We were but sad pawns in a larger battle.
But of course in the Arab mind, they were, and are never responsible for anything. As they maim, kill, rape and pillage Jews, Christians, and assorted “unbelievers” they themselves remain perpetual “victims”.
And we fools in the West still close our eyes to reality. We accept their definitions of words and events and if we do not open our eyes we will someday pay dearly for our ignorance.
Please send this little essay to everyone you know. Sooner or later it will strike fertile ground. We have little time to waste.
Stan Revich