TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The war in the Gaza Strip is beginning to appear differently in Israeli media. For most of the past two years, coverage has largely focused on Israeli experiences, emphasizing heroism, hostages, and military casualties, while the plight of Palestinians received little attention.
This is changing slowly as some Israeli news stations recently began to broadcast images of malnourished children and report on the severe struggles faced by Palestinians in daily life. This shift coincides with increasing global outrage about the conflict and reflects ongoing debates within Israel about the direction of military operations, although protests and media changes have had little impact on government policy.
“It’s about reassessing our actions during this war,” said Eran Amsalem, a communications professor at Hebrew University. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has largely dismissed calls for ceasing military action, focusing mostly on efforts to return hostages taken during earlier attacks.
The Shock of October 7
The initial images from the war were dominated by Hamas's attacks on Israeli territory, which shockingly claimed around 1,200 lives, mostly civilians, leading to mass panic and a rallying of public sentiment in Israel. Coverage initially largely excluded the humanitarian crisis burgeoning in Gaza as it became overshadowed by the focus on Israeli casualties and military strategy.
“The Israeli media reported very little on the suffering in Gaza during most of this war,” said prominent news anchor Raviv Drucker. The lack of coverage on the humanitarian situation came intertwined with restrictions on foreign journalists reporting from Gaza, making it difficult to present an accurate and comprehensive portrayal of the ongoing crisis.
The Perils of Highlighting Gaza Suffering
Newscasters who have chosen to shed light on the humanitarian catastrophe have faced intense backlash. Notable anchor Yonit Levi reflected on the international media's portrayal of the famine in Gaza, suggesting it represents a moral failing rather than a diplomatic failure, a comment that sparked vehement criticism from right-leaning media channels.
Despite public pushback, recent weeks have seen a gradual inclusion of more in-depth stories concerning the desperation faced by many in Gaza due to the ongoing blockade of humanitarian aid. Israeli TV programs now occasionally feature Palestinian voices, albeit altered for their safety.
Signs of Change
Though criticism persists, there is a growing commitment within some journalistic circles to present the Palestinian narrative. For example, the left-leaning Haaretz newspaper has continuously published critical works regarding Israeli actions and extensive reporting on the plight of Palestinians.
“The pain of the other side now feels illegitimate,” suggests Nir Hasson from Haaretz, noting that this narrative shift comes against a backdrop of historical tensions. However, he believes that Israeli society shows more openness than the media allows and that audiences are willing to engage in discussions about the hardships faced by Palestinians.
As the conflict continues, it remains to be seen how media narratives will evolve and the impacts on public perception and policy moving forward.
