Reclaiming the narrative

"Israel - Reclaiming the narrative" is the title (parenthetically, that I suggested) of my friend Barry Shaw's book, subtitled: "exposing the big lie and its perpetrators, a prosecution." It seemed that the title fit the subject, namely that the Palestinian narrative has received most play in the world's media, especially in Europe, and we as Jews and Israelis need to reclaim the narrative, since our version has been replaced by default.

This is an excellent book, but one might ask, why is it needed? Not only are there many sources of information, such as "Myths and Facts," but many other authors have addressed this subject, not least of all Alan Dershowitz in his well-known book, "The case for Israel." But, like many previous attempts to defeat the enemy in the propanganda war being waged against Israel, all of these previous attempts are basically defensive. They take the assertions of the pro-Palestinians and try to answer them, in a cool, rational manner, with the facts. In the war being fought for the hearts and minds of those who live in the middle ground between the commited left-wing and Islamist extremists and the pro-Israel lobby, there is a need for a hard-hitting, more prosecutorial approach. "Reclaiming the narrative" is that book!

As Barry Shaw writes: "Why is this book different from all other books? All other books tend to defend Israel. "Reclaiming the narrative" goes on the attack. Why should my country apologize for fighting for its right to exist?" In chapters entitled: "If you're going to boycott Israel do it properly," "Turning the truth on its head" and "I was left, now I'm right," Barry uses the latest information to attack those who label Israel an "apartheid state" or use "lawfare" to bring court cases against Israeli leaders. A series of pro-Palestinian ads was placed on buses in Seattle, Washington, claiming that various Israeli leaders had commited "war crimes". Since no court has ever found any Israeli leader guilty of war crimes, these allegations are slanderous and can be litigated against. A threat to take legal action caused the City of remove the ads.

Another example, when the British academic Union UCU (University and College Lecturer's Union) was about to vote to start a boycott of Israeli academics and universities in Britain, a letter from a group of lawyers was sent to them, pointing out that such a move would be illegal under British law, contravening laws against racial discrimination, they desisted. They stopped the process short of an official endorsement (although they allowed individual members to exercise such a boycott) because they were afraid of lawsuits against them. Another example, the Council of the County of Dumfreshire in Scotland decided to ban all books printed in Israel. If they do then they could be sued for denial of religious rights and freedom of expression. Of course, these things are not easy, a local attorney is needed who is prepared to take such cases pro bono. But, there are plenty of good Jewish lawyers who are sympathetic to the cause.

Finally, a smart way to stop the Gaza flotillas, that are provocations intended to embarrass Israel, is to threaten to take legal action against any marititme insurers and maritime service providers, such as satellite communications companies, that assist them. SInce Hamas is a recognized terrorist organization in both the US and EU, the Israeli Law Center (Shurat Hadin) in a series of letters to such organizations has threatened legal action. In reply most organizations, including Lloyds of London, have agreed that they will not insure or support any ships participating in such flotillas trying to breach Israel's blockade of Gaza, which is legal under interational law.

For those who want to obtain a copy of Barry Shaw's book "Israel - Reclaiming the narrative," please go to www.israelnarrative.com