On Dec. 27, 2008, the Gaza Strip became engulfed in air strikes and at once became a major news story for the world media. However, some are in debate as to whether the conflict in the Middle East is accurately and fairly portrayed in the media. Here, two of my friends—and Israel advocates—explain how they feel about the news coverage. Nadav, 21, moved from Israel to America when he was 16. He currently attends the University of Florida and teaches religious school at a Conservative synagogue. Shai, 20, was born in Israel but moved to America shortly afterward. He attends the University of Wisconsin.

From a geographic perspective, do you think the media portrays Israel accurately?
NADAV: I think it’s often misconstrued as to which areas of Israel are affected by the conflicts. In times [when] suicide bombers [aren’t the issue], the three main Israeli cities, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa, are virtually unscathed. It’s important to distinguish the areas that are [currently] involved—a small portion of Southern Israel—and the rest of the country.

SHAI: Geographically, Israel’s size doesn’t matter in the least. Israel could be the size of Russia or the size of your backyard, and the media would [respond just as critically] over how Israel chooses to defend itself and respond [to threats].

Do you think the media should be responsible for reporting everything happening in Gaza so readers and viewers have full disclosure?
NADAV: I’ve always believed in freedom of information, but I also realize the Israeli military needs to complete its objectives without worrying about journalists. The press blockade that Israel imposed was a mistake because it looked like it was trying to cover up its actions in Gaza. I think the main issue the media missed was that Israel’s decision to attack was completely justified. That point was lost somewhere with the reporting of the devastating conditions in Gaza.

SHAI: The media should do one of two things. First, cover the full Gaza situation. Stress the point that a number of casualties come from Hamas and that Israel, before beginning the attack, warned residents in Gaza to leave or risk their lives. Also, the fact that Hamas was building tunnels from Egypt to Gaza for weapons and drug smuggling has been conveniently overlooked. So, option one for the media would be to cover the truth behind the Gaza attacks, [and] option two would be to leave the story alone because false information is much more detrimental than none at all.

Which media source is the most biased when it comes to reporting on the Gaza-Israel conflict?
NADAV: I cannot think of one media source that I’m satisfied with. Nearly all of them simply went back to the mantra, “If it bleeds, it leads,” and covered just the side that had [the most] casualties. Hamas launches its rockets from Palestinian playgrounds to Israeli schools, spreads hateful anti-Semitic propaganda to Palestinian children and celebrates when Israel strikes back because it’s great PR for its “struggle.” I was hoping that some media outlets would see past the numbers and wonder why there are so many casualties.

SHAI: I’ve been quite disappointed with the liberal mass media [and] its poor “humanitarian-flavored” coverage of what has supposedly taken place in Gaza. Israel is the only topic that I believe the conservative media does a much more thorough job of reporting.

Do you think people’s opinions on Israel are easily persuaded by the media? If so, do you think the media is dangerous to Israel-U.S. relations?
NADAV: People are easily persuaded by anything the media says. It’s “in” to blame the “Zionist” state for every conflict that erupts in the Middle East. Americans are a little bit more oblivious to the facts because they are simply [more] aloof when it comes to worldly affairs. Most Americans could probably not even find Israel on the map or identify the current Palestinian leaders, but they will be very adamant in claiming how Israel stole land and commits war crimes.

SHAI: For the most part, Americans are very ignorant when it comes to the rest of the world because we suffer from isolation syndrome. We’re so interested in ourselves and don’t deal with the outside enough to care to educate ourselves on reality. As a result of liberal media coverage, you have been seeing these large rallies to “end Israel’s cruelty in Gaza.” As a result of media persuasion, Israel is looked upon as an invader in the Middle East.

What do you think about the conflict in Israel? Post your comment below.

Alisha Kinman is a freshman at Santa Fe College, majoring in journalism (public relations). Aside from work and school, she loves politics, dancing, writing and spending time with her family. She’s also a member of the JVibe Teen Advisory Board.