Will a change of vocabulary make a difference in world sentiment toward Israel?

For years, we’ve heard that Israel’s weak point is her inability to put out a convincing narrative to the world that will make them understand what we are up against and why we have no choice but to continually fight for our survival. In fact, it’s been said that our lack of good public relations skills is the one thing that is really hurting our cause.

That might explain why Frank Luntz, American political and communications consultant, was called in by Jewish organization, Chabad, to offer help in the area of improving our messaging and the importance of focusing on the right words that will create a more sympathetic picture. Feeling that this might be the most impactful thing he would ever be asked to do, he listened to all the nightmare stories of hostage families and then addressed a group of bi-partisan American politicians and Israelis just a couple of days prior to the massive Capitol Hill event, where an estimated 30,000 gathered in support of Israel.

Luntz, then made his way to Israel, just a few days ago to give a similar briefing in the Knesset, which was also attended by a number of journalists.

But is using the wrong vocabulary the thing that has been holding back Israel from garnering world support and sympathy? Would that really change if we could just find those magic words that would hit home to millions, who look upon us as the oppressors and perpetrators of Palestinian genocide?

There is no doubt that putting out an impassioned, factually documented account of events and accurate history of the Jewish nation, is not only desirable but actually obligatory, because one side must not be allowed to dominate what people hear – especially when that side has distorted history, rewritten their own narrative, outright lied about specific events and painted a false and damaging picture of the country as well as all Jewish people. 

Towards that effort, Israel has provided the best, most articulate spokespeople, both from the military as well as seasoned diplomats, who have appeared on American programming as well as Europe and other places throughout the world. They have shown pictures, been accompanied by hostage families and other eyewitnesses, to the unspeakable atrocities and have utilized social media to the maximum.

Yet, Luntz felt that the messaging could be tweaked and reframed in a way that would better serve Israel’s efforts in portraying their plight more effectively. To that end, he suggested referring to the enemy as “an army of terror,” rather than terrorists. Another suggestion was to say that “the October 7th massacre was an attack on Israelis rather than Israel.”  

Luntz’s description of Hamas as “the enemy of human beings, human rights and humanity,” are all claims which have been stated by each spokesperson who has made it clear that this is not just a fight against Israel and the Jewish people, but that, if given the chance, Hamas and Islamic Jihad will be coming for the rest of the world, because that is part of their mission and agenda. 

While Luntz may think he invented the wheel, all of his tips and favored communications have been heard, not just since Oct. 7, but for years – each time a new terror attack took place or whenever Israel found itself fighting off rocket attacks. Who hasn’t heard Iran refer to Israel as the Little Satan and America as the Big Satan? Yet, a whole new generation doesn’t seem to take those labels seriously, thinking if they side with terrorists, who despise Western culture, that they can remake their own image into a new, tolerant, sympathetic cluster which understands the plight of the downtrodden and are rooting for them to win over the well-equipped Israeli military who, in their viewpoint, are the real terrorists and aggressors.

It is a seismic miscalculation for any of these under-30 crowd to think they can nudge their way into the hearts of indoctrinated terrorists who, from birth, have been taught that Jews and Westerners are the real enemy to be eradicated. But because these sympathizers have also been indoctrinated and duped into believing that this is an honorable cause, they are more than happy to aid those who are evil and murderous. 

Will a change of vocabulary cause these misguided and willfully ignorant young people to suddenly see the light? Not a chance.

There is, perhaps, just one thing to accomplish that, and it will only occur when the brutal terrorism comes to their doors, and, make no mistake about it, it will. Hamas attacks are not simply reserved for the Middle East. With an open U.S. southern border, does anyone know how many jihadi terrorists have made their way into American cities in the hope of executing heinous savage attacks against U.S. citizens, similar to that of Oct. 7?

Can anyone guarantee that such an attack will not occur at a crowded event such as a pro-Palestinian demonstration? And what if it occurs at a large sports event or concert? Will there be a complete absence of Palestinian Americans or those who sympathize with them at those gatherings? This is the only way the angry Hamas supporters will come to the right conclusion that terrorism has no exemptions in a country it holds in contempt nor does it ask questions before perpetrating its vicious onslaught against “the infidels.”

Sadly, such an event may not be that far away, but it will, undoubtedly, exact a heavy price to learn a lesson that should have been understood just by operating a bit of common sense and listening to the “less effective” words that have been spoken by those who know just what these terrorists are capable of doing to anyone who, at first glance, doesn’t appear to be one of them.

Frank Luntz, as a native-born American, who has perfected the art of communication and word wizardry, may, indeed, be able to help many among the political spectrum improve their messaging, but when it comes to deeply-rooted, centuries’ long loathing of the Jewish people, there are no fancy words that will be able to soothe the raging flames of hatred which have, once again, emerged in the form of the endless desire to annihilate the entire Jewish race. Nor will it assuage the intensity of copycat abhorrence, which has taken hold of young people who believe there is virtue in embracing “poor terrorists” who they view as freedom fighters.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words and, for now, there are plenty of pictures available for those who are willing to see the reality of what is truly taking place and who the real enemies of humanity are! Don’t take my “word” for it – check it out for yourself!