Where’s Israel’s Capital?
December 24, 2003 0:12 by ManagingTeamThe Israeli capital is Jerusalem. That’s where the nation’s top legislative, executive and judicial bodies are located, as well as the Prime Minister’s and President’s residences. But as the status of Jerusalem remains a matter of international controversy, most countries maintain their embassies in Israel’s largest city, Tel Aviv.
Some news agencies, however, beyond refusing to call Jerusalem Israel’s capital, or simply reminding us of the controversy, will actually refer to Tel Aviv as if it were the established capital.
Some cases in point:
* Scotland on Sunday (12/14/03): “The Tel Aviv bomb was a failed attempt on the life of crime kingpin Ze-ev Rosenstein, a man at the centre of a criminal underworld saga more familiar to cities like New York and Naples than the Israeli capital.”
* BBC (8/18/03): “However, the agreement has been put under strain by Israel’s killing last week of the group’s Hebron cell commander, a move Tel Aviv says prompted two suicide bombings that left two Israelis dead.”
* LA Times’ Robert Brownstein (5/26/03): “In the last month, President Bush has displayed more commitment and creativity in advancing the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians than at any point in his presidency. And that movement is kicking up swirls of political maneuvering, not only in Tel Aviv and the West Bank, but also in the United States.”
* Guardian (12/23/03): “Bombs, missiles, delivery systems, gases, germs? Tel Aviv has the lot. We only forget to remember because it’s not a suitable subject for polite diplomatic conversation.”
These Western journalists find company in the terrorist-friendly Al Jazeera: “Tel Aviv Considering Operation Against Iran’s N-Capacities” (12/22/03)
When journalists employ shorthand in reporting, for example, “Washington said…” there actually was a US government representative in Washington who delivered that statement. But that is almost never the case for Israel in Tel Aviv. Israeli diplomatic activity and formal statements almost always take place in Jerusalem.
This editorial policy, therefore, can only be understood as a product of ‘journalist activism’ – portraying Israel’s capital not as Israel desires, nor even as a matter of dispute, but rather as Israel’s most determined opponents would portray her.
Comments to The Guardian: letters@guardian.co.uk
Comments to BBC: newsonline@bbc.co.uk
Anonymous
12:22 pm
Dec 24, 2003
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Agree or Disagree:
1 
11
Chaya Eitan
4:17 pm
Dec 24, 2003
I just sent off e-mails to the news media listed in the article. Let’s see if I get a response from them.
Agree or Disagree:
0 
1
Chaya Eitan
3:42 pm
Dec 25, 2003
The above person who stated that only Israel “sees Jerusalem as Israel’s capital” can’t even sign his/her name. This is not even worthy of an explanation.
Agree or Disagree:
1 
1
Willy
6:45 pm
Dec 25, 2003
“No one but Israel sees the Israeli capital as Jerualem.” – Well, Israel does. And she is going to stay. Sorry to all you antisemites, but this time the jews will not do as you want they to do. The will decide their own capital, too.
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
9 
1
Jordan
2:29 am
Dec 26, 2003
Why is it that people have to equate criticism of Israel’s government with “Anti-Semitism”?
They are very differnt things, if you can’t see this you have some serious problems.
Oh, and the international community does not see Jerualem as Israels capital. Moan all you want, but that is the truth.
Agree or Disagree:
1 
4
Chaya Eitan
8:22 pm
Dec 27, 2003
Who gives a damn what the “international community” thinks. Rational criticism of Israel isn’t necessarily anti-Semitism. But most ‘criticism’ of Israel is nothing but disguised anti-Semtism. Martin Luther King said that anyone who is against the existence of the State of Israel is an anti-Semite. But I don’t need the Rev. King to tell me that. And, yes, even Jews/Israelis who feel that way are also anti-Semites! They are self-hating Jews.
Agree or Disagree:
4 
1
Jordan
2:38 am
Dec 28, 2003
How can there be such a thing as a “Self hating Jew”? That is pathetic. Jewish people, and Israelis have every right to criticise their government. And how dare you label them a “Self hating Jew” if they do that.
I don’t know if I should laugh or cry. And you saying “I don’t give a damn what the international community thinks” shows just how arrogant you are.
Agree or Disagree:
2 
5