David vs. Goliath

The following is my latest column in The Jewish Link of Bergen County, in which I write about the fact that Israel is not only fighting a war against Hamas and terrorism; it is also fighting a war in the court of public opinion:


DAVID VS. GOLIATH


By: N. Aaron Troodler, Esq.


Contrary to what you may think, Israel has been battling more than just one enemy during Operation Protective Edge.


There is no question that the onslaught of rockets fired by Hamas directly resulted in the decision by Israel to take measures to defend its citizens and led to Israel’s attempt to restore a sense of quiet and stability to the region. Yet, Hamas is not the sole adversary that Israel was forced to engage in battle during this difficult period.


Not only is Israel fighting a war against terrorism; it is also fighting a war in the court of public opinion.


As we have seen throughout history, there are people who relish the opportunity to criticize Israel and denigrate the Jewish State. These critics anxiously wait for an opening, and, when it materializes, they are prepared to pounce and malign Israel.


Criticism is being lobbed at Israel as often as Hamas is lobbing rockets at Israeli civilians. Israel is facing a public relations offensive that it is trying valiantly to deflect.


To make matters worse, the United Nations Human Rights Council greatly exacerbated the situation and helped turn the tide against Israel even further. In an absolutely deplorable move, the UN Human Rights Council voted to launch an investigation into whether or not Israel’s actions during the current conflict constitute human rights violations and if they breach international humanitarian law.


Hamas is using civilians as human shields, and it is Israel that is in the crosshairs of the UN? Hamas is indiscriminately firing thousands of rockets at populated areas, and it is Israel that is the subject of the UN’s inquiry? The fact that a so-called human rights organization can turn a blind eye to the blatant human rights violations being wantonly perpetrated by Hamas is preposterous.


Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was outraged at the UN’s actions. “The UNHRC is sending a message to Hamas and terror organizations everywhere that using civilians as human shields is an effective strategy,” he said.


Although it is admittedly not a surprise that the UN Human Rights Council, which has a long track record of palpable prejudice towards Israel, would launch what many perceive to be a bogus and biased investigation into Israel’s actions, the UN vote may have been the last straw.


Much has been written about the number of casualties in Gaza, as opposed to the amount of fatalities suffered by the Israelis. Those seeking to censure Israel readily attribute the disparate number of deaths to the fact that Israel, in their opinion, is using a disproportionate show of force that is needlessly and intentionally resulting in a high number of casualties. This has been an incredibly successful public relations effort by Israel’s enemies to paint Israel as the antagonist and to label the people in Gaza as the victims of Israeli aggression.


What these critics neglect to mention is that were it not for the Iron Dome missile defense system, the number of civilian casualties amongst Israelis would inevitably be considerably higher. Hamas is deliberately firing deadly rockets at Israeli cities and communities with the intent to kill civilians; however, the Iron Dome technology is miraculously averting the overwhelming majority of the attacks and saving countless lives.


The critics also fail to note that Hamas is firing rockets not only from heavily populated areas, but also from locations that are in close proximity to schools and hospitals, thereby putting every single resident in Gaza in harm’s way. To add insult to injury, Hamas is urging people not to evacuate, despite Israel’s warning for them to do so in advance of any attack.


Not once do the critics reference the fact that there are bomb shelters throughout Israel. When the sirens sound, thereby signifying an incoming rocket, the Israelis have a place to run to that can shelter them from the attack. Conversely, in Gaza, the residents often do not have a safe haven from Israel’s attempt to defend itself. Rather than investing funds in constructing bomb shelters, Hamas squandered its resources in order to build an elaborate network of terror tunnels that they could use to launch attacks against Israel.


Amidst a cacophony of criticism and a chorus of condemnation, Israel is doing all that it can to rebut the misstatements and misrepresentations. However, as Israel struggles to fend off the tsunami of denunciation, it is having a difficult time turning the tide of public opinion back in its favor.


The truth is, the public relations battle is ancillary to the real struggle that Israel has been forced to contend with. At the end of the day, the only thing that truly matters is the disposition of the conflict with Hamas. If Israel is able to neutralize this terrorist organization intent on annihilating the Jewish State and provide its citizens with a respite from the relentless rocket attacks, they will have won the real war.


With Israel facing a dangerous and ruthless enemy on the battlefield and increasing pressure and condemnation from the international community, it is reminiscent of the epic confrontation between David and Goliath. On the surface, young David had no realistic chance of besting the mighty and powerful giant Goliath. Yet, as we all know, at the end of the day it was David that was standing tall.


Just like David persevered against all odds, let us hope and pray that Israel too will prevail against its enemies on the frontlines – not just Hamas terrorists, but also the individuals and entities around the world that try repeatedly to vilify the Jewish State.


N. Aaron Troodler is an attorney and principal of Paul Revere Public Relations, a public relations and political consulting firm. Visit him on the Web at TroodlersTake.blogspot.com, www.PaulReverePR.com, or www.JewishWorldPR.com. You can also follow him on Twitter: @troodler