Former Hewlett Resident Urges People to Call Out Anti-Israel Media Bias

Don’t let the media get away with it.

That was the message former Hewlett resident, lawyer and author Alan Katz brought to residents of the Bristal Assisted Living Facility in North Woodmere last week during a talk on the media’s portrayal of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“What the media has done is given us half-truths, distortions and doctored photos,” Katz alleged. “How could anyone make sense of the conflict when you don’t get the truth.”

Katz said he became passionate about the topic after finishing law school and seeing a New York Times op-ed piece that he felt was biased against the Israelis. He ended up writing the paper a letter, which sparked his documentation of media wrongs against Israel. His 2008 book, “For the Record: Israel and the Palestinians, What the Media Aren’t Telling You,” is a collection of his letters and opinions.

“The media has bastardized our language,” he said. “They’re not talking about ‘terrorists,’ they’re ‘activists.’”

The audience reacted to Katz’s message with shock and disbelief. Many wondered why they haven’t heard about these things before, and some questioned why the media would be so willing to portray the conflict as one-sided.

“It doesn’t sell newspapers,” Katz claimed. “There is an anti-Israeli, anti-Zionist tone in the media.”

Although, Katz admitted, that some blame can be directed towards the Israelis for the coverage of the conflict.

“The Israelis haven’t had a clue how to wage a public relations war, and it’s hurt them and their cause,” he said.

Dana Mori, activity director at The Bristal, said Katz’s talk was a hit with the residents. “The program was wonderful,” she said. “We would love to have him back.”

The lawyer, who now lives in Melville, said the public is not powerless when it comes to media errors.

“Go to the source of the inaccuracies and let them know they can’t get away with it,” he said. “When newspapers or stations take liberty with the truth, call them up and let them know.”