Israeli Media's 'Political Correctness' Dilutes Meaning of 'Israeli,' Author Argues

An Israeli man, Mustafa Issa from Kafr Qasim, was arrested for planning a "strategic attack" on the servers of Amdocs, an international telecommunications company. The article contends that Israeli media's use of the term "strategic attack" in this context, without explicitly stating the suspect was an Arab citizen, is a result of "political correctness" that dilutes the meaning of the term 'Israeli.'

The author argues that the word 'Israeli' has become a civic descriptor rather than a substantive one, losing its connection to the historical and spiritual identity of the Jewish people. Drawing on biblical and Talmudic sources, the piece explains that 'Israel' is a name given to Jacob after he wrestled with divine and human forces, signifying a spiritual strength and the ability to overcome flaws. The prophet Hosea's call, 'Return, Israel, to the Lord your God,' is presented as evidence of this inherent strength, questioning how 'Israel' could be associated with failure.

The article criticizes the media for obscuring the suspect's identity, suggesting that an outsider studying Israeli media might mistakenly believe the term 'Jew' refers only to religious extremists, not the general populace. The author fears a future where 'Israeli' might describe a terrorist with an Israeli ID, rather than representing the nation's spiritual heritage. The piece concludes by linking this to the concept of 'Shabbat Shuvah' (Sabbath of Return) before Yom Kippur, emphasizing the importance of reclaiming this identity.