In the report contained in this episode of ABC AM (15/9)Â at the 2:24 min the ABC Middle East reporter Eric Tlozek suggests that the government has failed to educate high risk communities like the ultra-orthodox and ‘Palestinians’ in Israel, who continue to hold large gatherings.
His reference to ‘Palestinians’ is misleading. If he is referring to Israeli-Arabs then he should say so as Israeli-Arabs by and large consider themselves to be Israeli.
Moreover the main culprits are in fact the Israeli-Arabs.
It is not a matter of education – it is a matter for enforcement, which the Israeli authorities are reluctant to carry out for fear of a major backlash from the offending communities.
[Editor: A complaint was lodged with the ABC over this misleading news report and here is their response which flies in the face of the fact that the vast majority of Israeli-Arabs don’t consider themselves to be Palestinian:
Thanks for your email and feedback.
We have used this term because it’s one that is most widely understood by our audiences to describe Israeli citizens of Palestinian descent. There is no universally accepted and understood alternative.
In the current debate about annexation, the status of Palestinians with Israeli citizenship is a material issue. We do not agree that its use implies any racism or condoning of racism by the ABC.
The ABC’s Editorial Leaders are aware it is a charged term and we have been investigating its use. As a result we have updated our style guide to say that while Arab-Israeli is a common descriptor for Israeli citizens of Arab ethnicity, it is not universally adopted. Many object to this term, preferring alternatives: Palestinian citizen of Israel, Palestinian-Israeli, Israeli, etc. Journalists are encouraged to confirm the use of the term with interviewees where possible.
Yours Sincerely,
Rebecca Barrett
Morning Editor
Audio Current Affairs
ABC News]