Public opinion research shows that while 52 percent of Americans have a Jewish friend, co-worker or family member, 74 percent of non-Jewish Americans with a Jewish contact report that not one Jew has spoken with them in support of Israel in the last 12 months. Not even once.
The same research, however, shows that just one such conversation between a Jew and a non-Jew can make people dramatically more supportive of Israel.
So how can you — in your conversations, speeches, letters to the editor and other forms of outreach — help win hearts and minds for Israel? Here are some tips to help you get started.
• Americans want a team to cheer for.
Whether it is the Yankees, Red Socks or whomever, Americans love to have this.
And what one thing, above all else, will cause a broad array of Americans to cheer for Israel? That Israel is a democracy where all citizens — men and women; Christians, Muslims and Jews — have freedom of speech, religion, press and a right to vote.
• Israel wants peace.
It’s up to us to inform the public that Israel has been, and will always be, willing to make painful sacrifices for peace. But don’t just say that. Prove it.
Let people know (many don’t) that Israel gave up the Sinai Peninsula for peace with Egypt. Let people know that Israel offered the Palestinians a state, time and again — and that the late Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat and other Arab leaders rejected it.
• It’s about the future, not the past.
Americans today are part of a “What have you done for me lately?” and “What will you give me in the future?” culture.
If you say, “Jews have lived in Israel for thousands of years, and G-d promised us the land,” many Americans will hear: “This conflict has been going on for thousands of years and it will never end. Why should America invest time, energy and tax dollars in helping it?”
Additionally, secular and liberal audiences who believe in separation of church and state aren’t interested in supporting a claim handed down by G-d.
Americans don’t care how many wars Israel has fought in self-defense. They worry about things like terrorism and gas prices. They don’t care who is right or wrong in the conflict as much as they want a quick solution. You need to focus on a better future for both Israel and the Palestinians.
• Stop indoctrinating children to kill.
Explain that peace cannot come while Palestinian children are raised in a culture of hate and a cult of death. The Palestinians (and Syrians) cannot promote peace and terror at the same time. Peace will happen when Palestinian textbooks, cartoons, music and TV programs no longer indoctrinate kids to become terrorists.
• Remember Moses.
Moses was a sharp guy, but even he delegated and used teamwork. When you decide it is time for you to act, there is no need to try to do everything by yourself. Become part of a team with a clear set of responsibilities, goals, and accountability.
• Remember Nachshon.
Do you remember the story of when the Hebrews were leaving Egypt and they got to the Sea of Reeds? They stopped to wait for the sea to part and complained to Moses and G-d. But a guy named Nachshon jumped in, and the sea parted.
This story reminds me of well-meaning members of our community who send nasty notes to reporters about their coverage about Israel, without having first pitched to reporters information about Israel that they needed to do their jobs well and efficiently.
We need to give to reporters the facts, visuals and insights they need before they do stories about Israel. Work with local and national organizations to get the right information to your local news media.
For Jews to get to safety, we need to be active. We must take a plunge.
• “Hatikva.”
As you know, the Israeli national anthem is titled “Hatikva,” a Hebrew word that means hope. Though it may seem counterintuitive, in order to bring more support to Israel we need to show hope for the Palestinians; for a better life for Palestinian children who have suffered from schools and TV shows that incite hatred and teach them to idolize or become suicide bombers.
We need to show empathy for Palestinians and be honest about the fact that terrorists force Israel to do things to defend itself that do not make life easier for Palestinians. For example, we need to show hope for a time when there is no need for an anti-terrorism security fence and people will be able move freely.
You can invite people to call you a dreamer or naive. But unless you can help Americans imagine a situation where there is cooperation in place of bloodshed, they will not be excited about our government and tax dollars going into efforts to make the dream of security, peace and prosperity a reality.
• You can make a difference.
Today, many in the Jewish community still view anti-Semitism and anti-Israel images in the press as inevitable, but with good strategic communications, these problems can be reduced significantly.
Fighting for Israel’s image is the battle without bloodshed. People in Israel depend on us. Jews around the world depend on us. And we depend on each other.
Together, we can use communications to make Israel and all Jews safer and more secure.
Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi is the founder & president of The Israel Project (TIP), an organization based in Washington, D.C., that is devoted to providing the public with an accurate image of Israel to help protect Israel, reduce anti-Semitism and increase pride in Israel.
Loading ...