British youth publication “The Week Junior” gets a failing grade: for a history essay that even a student would find embarrassing to have written.
Entitled “Violence and Protests as the US opens an Embassy in Jerusalem,” the article goes beyond common journalistic failings such as lack of context or minor errors, and entirely misstates both history and current events.
Special thanks to an HonestReporting reader and primary school teacher for forwarding us a photo of this article, which can also be found online:
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What they got wrong
Problem #1: Jerusalem history
Jerusalem is one of the most holy sites in Judaism….to begin with, Jerusalem was divided so different people could live there.
No, no and no.
Jerusalem is not a “holy site,” it is a city, and it is not “one of” the most holy cities in Judaism, but the holiest city in Judaism.
Nor was Jerusalem “divided so different people could live there,” not even close: in 1948 Jordan conquered half the city for 19 years, and killed or exiled all of the Jewish residents in the half it controlled. Before that, Jerusalem was a united city with an uninterrupted Jewish presence for some 3,000 years.
Problem #2: Conflict history
Palestinians and Israelis have been in conflict over the city ever since.
Actually, Palestinians and Arabs had been in conflict with Jews long before 1967, and the conflict has focused primarily on whether Arabs will allow a Jewish state to exist in any borders at all.
Problem #3: Current events – protests
On 14 May, at least 58 people were killed and thousands injured in Gaza as protests took place against the opening of a US embassy in Jerusalem.
No, this was not a protest against the US Embassy.
In this Washington Post article, two “protesters” are quoted saying that their goal was to invade Israel, and to kill Jews, while the Hamas leadership has consistently said their goal is to put an end to the entire Jewish state. That’s why it was called “The Great March of Return.” (Do you see the word “embassy?”)
Problem #4: History – Palestine?
War broke out and, in the years that followed, what was once Palestine was almost completely taken over by Israel.
No, not even close.
In 1967 Israel did not take over “Palestine” but rather a small portion of Jordan (under illegal Jordanian occupation) as well as a small portion of Egypt (both in self defense). Although there has never been a state of “Palestine, ” Israel has offered to give up its own territory to help create it: something no other country has ever done. However, the Palestinian leadership has refused any compromise, saying that all of Israel is “our land.”
Problem #5: Current events and protests…again.
The Palestinians have been protesting along the Israeli border with the Palestinian territory of Gaza – they want their own state and for East Jerusalem to be made their capital.
Nowhere in the world is a demonstration that includes machine guns and explosives called a “protest.” In fairness, this has been a professional shortcoming of other news outlets as well. In fact, HonestReporting has compiled a number of articles reviewing the persistent violence characteristic of this “protest.”
But nomenclature aside, these riots are not merely about a Palestinian state, but rather about putting an end to the world’s only Jewish state, and of course, killing Jews.
Also, did you notice that The Week Junior just contradicted its own prior explanation of the purpose of (what it calls) the “protest?” (It just changed from the embassy move to statehood – see problem #3)
Problem #6: Context — terrorists
At least 40 Palestinians have been killed in previous weeks.
Did you notice that The Week Junior just contradicted its own count of casualties – which just went from 58 (earlier in the article) to 40? (see problem #3)
Actually the figure is now just over 100. Over 80% are already confirmed to be terrorists: by both Israel and the terror groups themselves. Terrorists also used local civilians as human shields, putting them in deadly peril.
Students reading, “The Week Junior” are young, impressionable and eager to learn. Teaching distortions, hate and anger is no way to begin a child’s education.
With at least six severe misstatements of history, news, context and facts, The Week Junior gets an F.
Please share your considered comments with The Week Junior on Twitter at this handle: @theweekjunior.co.uk or on Facebook at this link. You can also email the publication at: [email protected]
