There is a certain evil hidden in semantics. One of the greatest powers the press holds is their subtle control of the way readers understand complex issues. These tiny pushes, over time, build up and corrupt the way the unsuspecting consumer pictures that story. The New York Times is a master of this insidious manipulation.
On Monday former Israeli Member of Knesset Rabbi Hanan Porat passed away after an extended illness. In its obituary of this leader of the Religious Zionist movement had this gem of a line (my emphasis):
Mr. Porat was a child of the kibbutz Kfar Etzion, which is on land that was later won by Jordan during Israel’s 1948 war of independence. He re-established the community after the 1967 Middle East war, when the land was conquered by Israel.
Jordan won the area. Israel conquered it.
It seems the Old Grey Lady is once more taking sides.
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