"Get Angry!" with Israel's Image Problem

"Get Angry! Indignez-vous!" This was a battle cry for the first annual Jewish Media Summit, held in Jerusalem, Israel from June 22 to 25. A conglomeration of 150 Jewish journalists and media enthusiasts gathered to listen to speakers and panels, with the goal of learning about Judaism and Israel in the media - how it is portrayed, the events that are covered, biases, finances and attitudes. Every person was inspired to "Get Angry!" about the weaknesses of Jewish newspapers, websites and radio stations radio stations in covering Israel and the diaspora.

One of the more remarkable sessions at the Summit covered the topic of "Israel's Image Problem". The panel that spoke consisted of five people from several different countries. Shlomo Malka, a representative of RJC Radio in France, had a somewhat alarming reason to “Get Angry!” about the situation for Jews in Europe.

As it turns out, “Get Angry!” is more than a catchphrase. It’s the title of a book that was published in France in 2011 with the title Indignez-vous (“Get Angry” in English). The book takes a strong pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel stance on issues like discrimination and settlement, without any mention of Israeli initiatives, including the situation with Gilad Shalit (who was in Palestinian captivity at the time). It earned the top spot on France’s bestseller list, with over 600,000 copies sold.

Why has the book been so startlingly successful? France is notorious for its anti-Semitism, socially and politically. According to Malka, both the far right and far left oppose Israel. The general opinion of Jews and Israelis, not only in France but in Europe as a whole, is not good. Is Indignez-vous propaganda, serving to promote anti-Semitism, or is it simply a written expression of the public’s common attitude?

Either way, Malka was very astute in recognizing Israel’s image problem in France. The bestselling success of Indignez-vous is an indication that something in inherently wrong with the way that Israel portrays itself to anti-Semitic Europe, or that something about it was wrong in the past. According to Malka, French journalists who travel to Israel are “amazed” to see that Israel is a country rich in culture and innovation, not simply military conflict. As a result, the gap between the real Israel and the country’s perception in the public mind is closing, and the general attitude towards Israel is becoming more open and less negative.

Despite Indignez-vous’ popularity, there is hope that the general anti-Semitism in France and Europe is turning into something more positive. Malka’s intentions at the Summit were very clear: “Get Angry!” about the animosity towards Jews and Israelis, and use the valuable tool of journalism to remedy it.

- Kim Robins