The recent assassination of several high-ranking Hezbollah officials, including their top commander, Hassan Nasrallah, highlights a critical juncture in the ongoing conflict that erupted after the horrific Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas. This brutal assault, which resulted in the murder and kidnapping of over 1,400 individuals at an Israeli music festival, sparked a full-scale war that has drawn significant international attention and criticism, especially regarding Israel’s legitimate actions against terrorist groups.
The media’s portrayal of Nasrallah as a “charismatic leader,” as per a headline from AP News, is misleading and reveals a troubling bias.
“Nasrallah was a ruthless, murderous terrorist,” Congressman Mike Waltz said.
It is fundamentally wrong to depict the murder of hundreds of innocent Americans and Israelis as anything other than an act of terrorism. Nasrallah, who is responsible for this heinous act, must be recognized for what he is—a terrorist—and any mischaracterization must face condemnation.
“One who terrorizes is a terrorist, and any misrepresentation must be condemned,” said Noah Kong, a senior at Great Neck North High School.
The public must hold these outlets accountable for distorting the truth and undermining the gravity of such monstrous acts.
Last week, Israel launched one of the most sophisticated operations to date against the Hezbollah government, a designated terrorist organization by the United States and over 60 other nations. The operation, executed by Israel’s elite special operations unit, Mossad, in collaboration with the Israeli Defense Forces (I.D.F), successfully injured thousands of Hezbollah terrorists by strategically targeting their communications devices. Remarkably, this operation was conducted with minimal civilian casualties, showcasing a potential model for responsible warfare amidst a chaotic conflict. Despite the operation’s success, it has drawn significant backlash from the media and U.S. politicians; Israel’s precision strike against Hamas in Gaza, which resulted in the elimination of senior terrorist commanders, was framed by outlets like Al Jazeera as a “tragic” event. Their coverage emphasized alleged civilian casualties, portraying the strike as “catastrophic” for the humanitarian situation in Gaza. While any loss of innocent life is tragic, the claims of large-scale civilian deaths, in this instance, lack credible evidence. The Palestinian health ministry, which reports casualties, is under the control of the Hamas government—an organization known for inflating numbers to manipulate international perception. The IDF presents a more accurate picture, revealing that the targeted school “was not operational” and instead “[was] used by Hamas and its operatives.” Israel employed satellite imagery and precision missiles designed to minimize civilian casualties.
“It’s important to understand … the facts,” junior Zachary Berchansky said. “Knowing what is real and what is not is crucial for our future as a whole.”
The tragic reality, however, remains that Hamas deliberately uses its civilians as human shields, forcing Israeli forces into a difficult position where civilian casualties, while regrettable, become inevitable.
Amidst the conflict, reports have surfaced claiming Israel blocked 83% of food from Gaza. These claims are grossly misleading and ignore the one million tons of food that Israel has allowed into Gaza since the onset of hostilities. Notably, over 23% of Gaza’s residents are categorized as overweight or obese, contradicting the narrative of a humanitarian crisis driven by famine. The public needs to approach reports from biased media outlets, like Al Jazeera, with skepticism, as they consistently fail to portray the situation accurately.
As we approach the 2024 elections, the implications of the Middle Eastern conflict extend into American politics. Hundreds of Democratic representatives boycotted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent speech in Congress, with prominent figures, like Nancy Pelosi and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, publicly condemning Israel’s actions. Such reactions from leaders, who should be supporting a vital ally, are concerning and suggest a troubling trend of bigotry toward Israel. Voters must increasingly consider candidates’ positions on the Hamas-Israel conflict when heading to the polls in November.
Many students further emphasize the historical need for a Jewish homeland to protect against persecution—a reality demonstrated throughout history, from the Holocaust to numerous pogroms: “Support for Israel is non-negotiable,” senior Abigail Israel said.
In a private phone call with prominent lawyer Alan Dershowitz, a leading advocate for Jewish causes, he proposed shifting the slogan from “Bring Them Home” to “Let Them Go.” This change emphasizes Hamas’s terrorist actions, making it clear that the responsibility for any hostage deaths lies with the terrorist group—not Israel. Currently, 97 hostages remain in Gaza, held by Hamas. Rather than condemning Israel’s strategic operations against terrorists, political leaders should focus on urging Hamas to release these hostages. In a conflict marked by violence and propaganda, it is vital to recognize and support those working to eliminate terrorism while protecting civilian lives.
