| Revision as of 20:07, 17 January 2022 view sourceNableezy (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Page movers, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers56,167 edits WP:WESTBANKTag: Reverted← Previous edit | Revision as of 20:10, 17 January 2022 view source Nableezy (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Page movers, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers56,167 edits actually, revert, series of WP:PROMO and non-neutral edits, including misuse of primary and non-reliable sources, and a ton of WP:WESTBANK violationsTag: RevertedNext edit → | ||
| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
| | native_name_lang = heb | | native_name_lang = heb | ||
| | named_after = ] | | named_after = ] | ||
| | logo = |
| logo = | ||
| | logo_size = |
| logo_size = | ||
| | predecessor = |
| predecessor = | ||
| | merged = |
| merged = | ||
| | formation = <!-- use {{start date and age|df=yes|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | | formation = <!-- use {{start date and age|df=yes|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | ||
| | founder = |
| founder = | ||
| | merger = |
| merger = | ||
| | type = |
| type = | ||
| | status = |
| status = | ||
| | purpose = |
| purpose = | ||
| | headquarters = |
| headquarters = | ||
| | coords = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LON|display=inline, title}} --> | | coords = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LON|display=inline, title}} --> | ||
| | region = ] | | region = ] | ||
| | sec_gen = |
| sec_gen = | ||
| ⚫ | | board_of_directors = | ||
| | leader_title = Chairman | |||
| | |
| key_people = | ||
| | |
| main_organ = | ||
| ⚫ | | parent_organization = | ||
| | leader_name2 = ] | |||
| ⚫ | | subsidiaries = | ||
| ⚫ | | board_of_directors = |
||
| | key_people = | |||
| | main_organ = | |||
| ⚫ | | parent_organization = |
||
| ⚫ | | subsidiaries = |
||
| | affiliations = ] | | affiliations = ] | ||
| | budget = |
| budget = | ||
| | budget_year = |
| budget_year = | ||
| | revenue = |
| revenue = | ||
| | revenue_year = |
| revenue_year = | ||
| | expenses = |
| expenses = | ||
| | expenses_year = |
| expenses_year = | ||
| | website = {{URL|http://www.myesha.org.il/}} | | website = {{URL|http://www.myesha.org.il/}} | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| The '''Yesha Council''' ({{lang-he|מועצת יש"ע}}, ''Mo'etzet Yesha'', which is the Hebrew acronym for '''Ye'''huda '''Sh'''omron, '''A'''za, lit. "Judea Samaria and Gaza Council") is an umbrella organization of municipal councils of ] in the |
The '''Yesha Council''' ({{lang-he|מועצת יש"ע}}, ''Mo'etzet Yesha'', which is the Hebrew acronym for '''Ye'''huda '''Sh'''omron, '''A'''za, lit. "Judea Samaria and Gaza Council") is an umbrella organization of municipal councils of ] in the ] (and formerly in the ]), known by the ] acronym ]. | ||
| The Chairman of the Yesha Council is David Elhayani, elected in November 2019. Elhayani is the Head of ], resident of ]. | |||
| ==History== | ==History== | ||
| The Council was founded in the 1970s as the successor to ] ("Bloc of the Faithful"), an organization formed to promote Jewish settlement in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, which they regarded as the return of Jews to their Biblical homeland. The Council consists of 25 democratically elected mayors and ten community leaders{{Citation needed|date=September 2010}}, representing municipalities with a combined Jewish population of around 225,000. Its resettlement policy was criticised by the Sason Report.<ref>, ], Adv.]</ref> Its mandate is to assist Jewish settlements in every possible way. The Council works to improve security by, for instance, arranging the acquisition of bullet-proof ambulances and buses. The Council works with the Israeli government to provide roads, electricity, and water to the settlements. | |||
| The success of the ] movement to repopulate those Jewish communities lost to Jordan in the 1948 Arab-Israel War<ref>{{Cite web|date=1969-07-31|title=Settlement Inaugurated on West Bank at Site of Ein Tzurim, Overrun in 1948|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/settlement-inaugurated-on-west-bank-at-site-of-ein-tzurim-overrun-in-1948|access-date=2022-01-17|website=Jewish Telegraphic Agency|language=en-US}}</ref> and the newly established communities through Judea, Samaria and Gaza promoted the residents to form their own lobby group. Originally called the Association for the Advancement of Population and Absorption in Judea, Samaria and Gaza, it was initiated by the Forum of Heads of Councils and held their first council meeting on December 24, 1980 where a twelve-person body and six committees were elected.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Yishai|first=Yael|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/15084286|title=Land or peace : whither Israel?|date=1987|publisher=Hoover Institution Press|isbn=0-8179-8521-2|location=Stanford, Calif.|pages=122|oclc=15084286}}</ref> One of the main founders was Israel Harel,<ref>{{Cite web|date=1984-08-28|title=Behind the Headlines Jewish Settlers View Their Future|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/behind-the-headlines-jewish-settlers-view-their-future|access-date=2022-01-17|website=Jewish Telegraphic Agency|language=en-US}}</ref> a veteran of the Six Day War who participated in the liberation of the Old City of Jerusalem.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Booth|first=William|date=May 24, 2015|title=As Jewish settlement turns 40, a founder looks ahead in the West Bank|work=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/as-jewish-settlement-turns-40-a-founder-looks-ahead-in-the-west-bank/2015/05/24/9860f6a2-fa7d-11e4-a47c-e56f4db884ed_story.html}}</ref> Harel was editor of Nekuda magazine, which the Yesha Council launched that year for decades.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|date=1993-09-22|title=Israel's Settlers Resigned to Pact|work=Christian Science Monitor|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/1993/0922/22021.html|access-date=2022-01-17|issn=0882-7729}}</ref> | |||
| In addition to municipal and security issues, the Council serves as the political arm of the Jewish residents of Yesha. The Council lobbies for their interests with the ] and the government. The Council carries on public relations campaigns for the settlements and has organized several large public protests. | |||
| == Board Members == | |||
| The Yesha Council consists of 24 democratically elected mayors and ten community leaders,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2005-07-18|title=שאלת תם מה זה מועצת יש"ע? - וואלה! חדשות|url=https://news.walla.co.il/item/748187|access-date=2021-12-21|website=וואלה!|language=he}}</ref> representing municipalities with a combined population of around half a million.<ref>{{Cite web|last=פורשר|first=אפרת|title=המהפך הדמוגרפי של יהודה ושומרון|url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/article/730075|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-21|website=www.israelhayom.co.il|quote=בסך הכל מונה אוכלוסיית יש"ע בשנת 2019 463,901 תושבים אשר מתגוררים ב־150 יישובים.}}</ref> Its mandate is to assist Jewish settlements in every possible way. The council works to improve security by, for instance, arranging the acquisition of bullet-proof ambulances and buses. The council works with the Israeli government to provide roads, electricity, and water.<ref name="jta.org">{{Cite web|date=2010-09-21|title=With wineries and tourism, settlers try to rebrand settlements for Israeli public|url=https://www.jta.org/2010/09/21/lifestyle/with-wineries-and-tourism-settlers-try-to-rebrand-settlements-for-israeli-public|access-date=2021-12-21|website=Jewish Telegraphic Agency|language=en-US}}</ref> The executive meets once in three weeks and conducts the council’s affairs. Until the implementation of the disengagement plan in 2005, the mayors of the authorities in the Gaza Strip were also members of Yesha Council. The chair of Yesha Council is elected in democratic elections by the members of the executive. | |||
| ==Activism== | |||
| Since its inception, Yesha Council was funded in part by membership fees paid by the local authorities that are members in it. In 2004, ] petitioned the ] against the use of the budgets of the local councils to fund the activities of Yesha Council to oppose the disengagement plan. The High Court of Justice issued an interim injunction prohibiting the transfer of funds from the authorities, but in 2006, it ultimately ruled that the transfer of funds is legal, and that Yesha Council’s main source of funding comes from the membership dues paid by the local authorities.<ref></ref> | |||
| === Protest Campaign === | |||
| ⚫ | In 2005 the Council led the protest campaign against the ] with peaceful mass protests: the ] of 130,000, the ] march of 50,000, the ] rally of 70,000, and the ] rally of 200,000. The council was praised by centrists for refraining from the use of violence—although some right-wing activists did resort to violence. It was also criticized by the right for failing to prevent the disengagement. | ||
| The Chairman of the Yesha Council is David Elhayani, elected in November 2019. Elhayani is the Head of ] and resident of ]. The CEO of the Yesha Council is ], appointed in 2019,<ref>{{Cite web|title=יגאל דילמוני מונה למנכ"ל מועצת יש"ע|url=http://myesha.org.il/?CategoryID=187&ArticleID=9347&dbsAuthToken=|access-date=2021-12-21|website=myesha.org.il}}</ref> who previously served as deputy director of public relations.<ref name="jta.org" /> | |||
| === The Department of Media and Public Diplomacy === | |||
| Yesha Council’s Department of Media and Public Diplomacy addresses all matters related to the media and public relations of Yesha Council, prepares and distributes information newsletters, leads various campaigns and initiatives on behalf of the communities, is responsible for Yesha Council’s social media coverage and holds tours and lectures for opinion leaders in Israel and the world. Dorit Ostrovsky Schechter heads the department.<ref>{{Cite web|title=דוברת מועצת יש"ע - דורית שכטר אוסטרובסקי|url=https://www.inn.co.il/news/528719|access-date=2022-01-17|website=ערוץ 7|language=he}}</ref> | |||
| === Foreign Relations Desk and Eastern European Desk === | |||
| In 1992, Yesha Council established its Foreign Relations Desk (formerly Overseas Desk), headed by Yechiel Leiter until 1996.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1996-07-15|title=Settler Leaders Develop Plan to Establish New Communities|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/settler-leaders-develop-plan-to-establish-new-communities|access-date=2022-01-17|website=Jewish Telegraphic Agency|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2013, the desk’s activities were resumed, headed by Dani Dayan until 2015. In 2016-2020, the desk was headed by Efrat Mayor Oded Revivi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.makorrishon.co.il/nrg/online/1/ART2/807/933.html|access-date=2022-01-17|website=www.makorrishon.co.il}}</ref> | |||
| The Foreign Relations Desk deals mainly with international public diplomacy, hosting delegations and VIPs from abroad, writing articles and appearing in the international media. It participates in international conferences and gives lectures to decision-makers abroad. | |||
| In 2019, Yesha Council established an Eastern European desk, which focuses on Russian-speaking Israelis, with the aim of bringing them to visit in Judea and Samaria and bridge the gaps we have identified between Israel’s Russian-speaking population and the Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria. The desk is involved in Russian-language public diplomacy, tourism and the training of tour guides, holding conferences on the subject of Judea and Samaria and advertising in the Russian-language media in Israel. It has even launched an official Russian-language Yesha Council website. The desk is currently headed by Gush Etzion Regional Council chair Shlomo Ne’eman. | |||
| ==Campaigns== | |||
| As the umbrella organization for the local authorities in Judea and Samaria and the Jordan Valley, the Yesha Council attends to issues that impact all the Jewish communities in a variety of areas such as law, policy, media, and infrastructure. | |||
| As a rule, the Yesha Council advocates collaborative activity with the national leadership to promote the welfare of the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria and the Jordan Valley, and expresses its opposition to government decisions that could harm this enterprise. Its resettlement policy was criticised by the Sason Report.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Summary of the Opinion Concerning Unauthorized Outposts-Talya Sason, Adv.|url=http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Law/Legal+Issues+and+Rulings/Summary+of+Opinion+Concerning+Unauthorized+Outposts+-+Talya+Sason+Adv.htm|access-date=2021-12-31|website=www.mfa.gov.il}}</ref> | |||
| In 1980 the Yesha Council launched Nekudah Magazine, which lasted until 2010 when it merged with ]. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.makorrishon.co.il/nrg/online/11/ART2/676/841.html|access-date=2022-01-17|website=www.makorrishon.co.il}}</ref> | |||
| In 1989 the Yesha Council raised funds to help Soviet Jews immigrate and find adequate housing.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1989-11-29|title=Jewish Settlers to Raise Own Funds for Absorption of Olim in Territories|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/jewish-settlers-to-raise-own-funds-for-absorption-of-olim-in-territories|access-date=2022-01-17|website=Jewish Telegraphic Agency|language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
| IN 1993 the Yesha Council opposed the Oslo Accords.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
| ⚫ | In 2005 the |
||
| In 2013, a book was published entitled ''Judea and Samaria: It's Jewish, It's Vital, It's Realistic''. It was printed as a special edition for the visit of US President ] to Israel.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Settlers, leftists plan rival welcomes for Obama|url=https://www.jpost.com/diplomacy-and-politics/settlers-leftists-plan-rival-welcomes-for-obama-307038|access-date=2022-01-17|website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com|language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
| In 2016, the Yesha Council launched a campaign to apply Israeli law to the city of ] presenting a survey it conducted showing that 78% of Israel’s Jewish population favored such a move.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Algemeiner|first=The|title=78 Percent of Israelis Favor Annexing Ma’ale Adumim, Survey Finds|url=https://www.algemeiner.com/2016/06/01/78-percent-of-israelis-favor-annexing-maale-adumim-survey-finds/|access-date=2022-01-17|website=Algemeiner.com|language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
| In 2017, the Yesha Council advocated to improve neglected transportation infrastructure.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-15|title=2.3 מיליארד שקל: כבישי יו"ש משודרגים בתוכנית ענק|url=https://www.makorrishon.co.il/news/282635/|access-date=2022-01-17|website=מקור ראשון|language=he-IL}}</ref> As a result, a budget was approved for the planning and construction of a number of roads, including the Hawara bypass road; the Al-Arub bypass road (Lev Yehuda Highway); the upgrading and widening of Highway 55 from Highway 6 to Highway 60; a new and elaborate Jerusalem-Kalandia entry road; the widening of Highway 437 in the area of the Hizme crossing and Highway 375 from Tzur Hadassah to the Hussan junction; the widening and adding of a public transportation lane on Highway 446 Shilat-Modiin and on Highway 505 Ariel-Tapuah Junction and more. <ref>{{Cite web|title=תוכנית אב תחבורתית כוללת ליהודה ושומרון|url=https://www.gov.il/he/departments/news/shomron_regev|access-date=2022-01-17|website=GOV.IL|language=he}}</ref> | |||
| In 2018, the Yesha Council published a report critical of the ] (TIPH), which served as an international observer force.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kimon|first=Elisha Ben|date=2019-01-17|title='Hebron observer mission deliberately creates friction'|language=en|work=Ynetnews|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5448414,00.html|access-date=2022-01-17}}</ref> The report, which accused TIPH of creating an anti-Israel atmosphere was part of the Israeli government's decision not to renew the mandate for TIPH.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-10-28|title=המאבק ב-TIPH מגיע לכנסת: "יוזמים חיכוכים"|url=http://www.93fm.co.il/radio/493443/|access-date=2022-01-17|website=רדיו קול חי|language=he}}</ref> | |||
| In 2020, the Yesha Council opposed US President Donald Trump's "]."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Magid|first=Jacob|title=Settler umbrella group protests Trump plan, but some mayors endorse it|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/settler-umbrella-group-adopts-motion-against-trump-plan-but-opposition-builds/|access-date=2022-01-17|website=www.timesofisrael.com|language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
| In 2021 members of the Yesha Council met with Arab Muslims in Hebron for a kosher ] ceremony and spoke to joint business ventures between Palestinian Authority entrepreneurs and Israelis.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Settlers, Palestinians dream of joint Hebron hotel at kosher Iftar feast|url=https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/settlers-palestinians-dream-of-joint-hebron-hotel-at-kosher-iftar-feast-665892|access-date=2022-01-17|website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com|language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
| ===Rejection of Violence=== | ===Rejection of Violence=== | ||
| The council chairman ] said that settlers must not use violence to advance their means. He said that such actions were "]" and only serve to "hinder the settlers' struggle."<ref> |
The council chairman ] said that settlers must not use violence to advance their means. He said that such actions were "]" and only serve to "hinder the settlers' struggle."<ref>, Jerusalem Post 12 August 2009</ref> | ||
| ===Misplaced Pages editing course=== | ===Misplaced Pages editing course=== | ||
| Line 97: | Line 59: | ||
| The project organiser, ] was interviewed on ]. She emphasized that the information has to be reliable and meet Misplaced Pages rules. She cited some examples such as the use of the term "occupation" in Misplaced Pages entries, as well as in the editing of entries that link Israel with ] and ].<ref name="sheva">{{Cite news| last=Benari | first=Elad | title=Zionist Internet Struggle to Hit Misplaced Pages | url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/138917 | publisher=Israel National News | date=3 August 2010 | access-date=18 August 2010 }}</ref> | The project organiser, ] was interviewed on ]. She emphasized that the information has to be reliable and meet Misplaced Pages rules. She cited some examples such as the use of the term "occupation" in Misplaced Pages entries, as well as in the editing of entries that link Israel with ] and ].<ref name="sheva">{{Cite news| last=Benari | first=Elad | title=Zionist Internet Struggle to Hit Misplaced Pages | url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/138917 | publisher=Israel National News | date=3 August 2010 | access-date=18 August 2010 }}</ref> | ||
| A course participant explained that the course is not a "Zionist conspiracy to take over Misplaced Pages"; rather, it is an attempt to balance information about disputed issues presented in the online encyclopedia. <blockquote>he goal of this workshop was to train a number of pro-Israelis how to edit Misplaced Pages so that more people could present the Israeli side of things, and thus the content would be more balanced... Misplaced Pages is meant to be a fair and balanced source, and it is that way by having people from all across the spectrum contributing to the content.<ref> |
A course participant explained that the course is not a "Zionist conspiracy to take over Misplaced Pages"; rather, it is an attempt to balance information about disputed issues presented in the online encyclopedia. <blockquote>he goal of this workshop was to train a number of pro-Israelis how to edit Misplaced Pages so that more people could present the Israeli side of things, and thus the content would be more balanced... Misplaced Pages is meant to be a fair and balanced source, and it is that way by having people from all across the spectrum contributing to the content.<ref> By ROBERT MACKEY August 23, 2010, 1:12 PM</ref></blockquote> Another participant was not positive about the publication of the initiative, warning that going public in past occasions has had a bad effect, and recommending that the initiative would be better taken underground.<ref name=Guardian/> | ||
| Following the course announcement, the head of Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said there were plans to set up a counter group to ensure the Palestinian view is presented online as the "next regional war will be media war."<ref name="ynet"/> | Following the course announcement, the head of Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said there were plans to set up a counter group to ensure the Palestinian view is presented online as the "next regional war will be media war."<ref name="ynet"/> | ||
| In 2011, Misplaced Pages co-founder ] stated in retrospect about the course organized by Israel Sheli, "we saw absolutely no impact from that effort whatsoever. I don't think it ever – it was in the press but we never saw any impact."<ref name="Haaretz2"> |
In 2011, Misplaced Pages co-founder ] stated in retrospect about the course organized by Israel Sheli, "we saw absolutely no impact from that effort whatsoever. I don't think it ever – it was in the press but we never saw any impact."<ref name="Haaretz2">, Haaretz</ref> Wales, who himself is a supporter of Israel, insists on neutrality when editing articles related to Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.<ref name="Haaretz2" /> At a speech at Tel Aviv University when accepting his ] in May 2015, Wales insisted to avoid conflicts of interest is to provide as many facts as possible while maintaining neutrality, aiming to overwhelm any chance of bias and imbuing political ideology. Wales also stated that editors have to present what all sides have said and ultimately leave it to the reader to make their own judgments and have their own opinions regarding the conflict.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/wikipedia-founder-jimmy-wales-likes-israel-but-stays-neutral/|title=Misplaced Pages founder Jimmy Wales likes Israel but stays neutral|last=Sales|first=Ben|date=19 May 2015|work=The Times of Israel|access-date=25 August 2015}}</ref> | ||
| == Heads of the Yesha Council == | |||
| {| class="wikitable" | |||
| |+ | |||
| !Name | |||
| !Dates in office | |||
| !Other Public Positions | |||
| |- | |||
| |Israel Harel | |||
| |1980 - 1995 | |||
| |Founder of the Yesha Council, founder of ] | |||
| |- | |||
| |Pinchas Wallerstein | |||
| |1995 - 1999 | |||
| |Head of the ] | |||
| |- | |||
| |Benny Kashriel | |||
| |1999 - 2001 | |||
| |Mayor of ] | |||
| |- | |||
| |Benzi Lieberman | |||
| |2002 - 2007 | |||
| |Head of the ] | |||
| |- | |||
| |] | |||
| |2013 - 2017 | |||
| |Head of the ] and later ] of Israel in New York and ] chairman | |||
| |- | |||
| |Hananel Dorani | |||
| |2017 - 2019 | |||
| |Chairman of the Kedumim Regional Council | |||
| |- | |||
| |David Elhayani | |||
| |2019–present | |||
| |Head of the ] | |||
| |} | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 20:10, 17 January 2022
 | This article appears to be slanted towards recent events. Please try to keep recent events in historical perspective and add more content related to non-recent events. (September 2010) |
| מועצת יש"ע | |
| Named after | Yesha |
|---|---|
| Region | West Bank |
| Affiliations | Amana |
| Website | www |
The Yesha Council (Template:Lang-he, Mo'etzet Yesha, which is the Hebrew acronym for Yehuda Shomron, Aza, lit. "Judea Samaria and Gaza Council") is an umbrella organization of municipal councils of Israeli settlements in the West Bank (and formerly in the Gaza Strip), known by the Hebrew acronym Yesha.
The Chairman of the Yesha Council is David Elhayani, elected in November 2019. Elhayani is the Head of Bik'at HaYarden Regional Council, resident of Argaman.
History
The Council was founded in the 1970s as the successor to Gush Emunim ("Bloc of the Faithful"), an organization formed to promote Jewish settlement in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, which they regarded as the return of Jews to their Biblical homeland. The Council consists of 25 democratically elected mayors and ten community leaders, representing municipalities with a combined Jewish population of around 225,000. Its resettlement policy was criticised by the Sason Report. Its mandate is to assist Jewish settlements in every possible way. The Council works to improve security by, for instance, arranging the acquisition of bullet-proof ambulances and buses. The Council works with the Israeli government to provide roads, electricity, and water to the settlements.
In addition to municipal and security issues, the Council serves as the political arm of the Jewish residents of Yesha. The Council lobbies for their interests with the Knesset and the government. The Council carries on public relations campaigns for the settlements and has organized several large public protests.
Activism
Protest Campaign
In 2005 the Council led the protest campaign against the disengagement plan with peaceful mass protests: the human chain of 130,000, the Kfar Maimon march of 50,000, the Kotel rally of 70,000, and the Tel Aviv rally of 200,000. The council was praised by centrists for refraining from the use of violence—although some right-wing activists did resort to violence. It was also criticized by the right for failing to prevent the disengagement.
Rejection of Violence
The council chairman Dani Dayan said that settlers must not use violence to advance their means. He said that such actions were "morally bankrupt" and only serve to "hinder the settlers' struggle."
Misplaced Pages editing course
 | This article may lend undue weight to certain ideas, incidents, or controversies. Please help improve it by rewriting it in a balanced fashion that contextualizes different points of view. (July 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
On 3 August 2010, it was reported that the Yesha Council together with My Israel, a network of online pro-Israel activists committed to spreading Zionism online, were organizing people at a workshop in Jerusalem to teach them how to edit Misplaced Pages articles in a pro-Israeli way. Around 50 people took part in the course.
"We don't want to change Misplaced Pages or turn it into a propaganda arm," commented Naftali Bennett, director of the Yesha Council. "We just want to show the other side. People think that Israelis are mean, evil people who only want to hurt Arabs all day." "The idea is not to make Misplaced Pages rightist but for it to include our point of view," he said in another interview.
The project organiser, Ayelet Shaked was interviewed on Arutz Sheva Radio. She emphasized that the information has to be reliable and meet Misplaced Pages rules. She cited some examples such as the use of the term "occupation" in Misplaced Pages entries, as well as in the editing of entries that link Israel with Judea and Samaria and Jewish history.
A course participant explained that the course is not a "Zionist conspiracy to take over Misplaced Pages"; rather, it is an attempt to balance information about disputed issues presented in the online encyclopedia.
he goal of this workshop was to train a number of pro-Israelis how to edit Misplaced Pages so that more people could present the Israeli side of things, and thus the content would be more balanced... Misplaced Pages is meant to be a fair and balanced source, and it is that way by having people from all across the spectrum contributing to the content.
Another participant was not positive about the publication of the initiative, warning that going public in past occasions has had a bad effect, and recommending that the initiative would be better taken underground.
Following the course announcement, the head of Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said there were plans to set up a counter group to ensure the Palestinian view is presented online as the "next regional war will be media war."
In 2011, Misplaced Pages co-founder Jimmy Wales stated in retrospect about the course organized by Israel Sheli, "we saw absolutely no impact from that effort whatsoever. I don't think it ever – it was in the press but we never saw any impact." Wales, who himself is a supporter of Israel, insists on neutrality when editing articles related to Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. At a speech at Tel Aviv University when accepting his Dan David Prize in May 2015, Wales insisted to avoid conflicts of interest is to provide as many facts as possible while maintaining neutrality, aiming to overwhelm any chance of bias and imbuing political ideology. Wales also stated that editors have to present what all sides have said and ultimately leave it to the reader to make their own judgments and have their own opinions regarding the conflict.
See also
- Israeli Civil Administration
- Israeli settlement
- Judea and Samaria Area
- Population statistics for Israeli West Bank settlements
References
- Summary of the Opinion Concerning Unauthorized Outposts, Talya Sason, Adv.]
- Yesha Council chair Dayan condemns recent settler violence, Jerusalem Post 12 August 2009
- ^ Benari, Elad (3 August 2010). "Zionist Internet Struggle to Hit Misplaced Pages". Israel National News. Retrieved 18 August 2010.
- ^ Hasson, Nir (18 August 2010). "The right's latest weapon: 'Zionist editing' on Misplaced Pages". Haaretz.
- ^ Rachel Shabi, Jemima Kiss (18 August 2010). "Misplaced Pages editing courses launched by Zionist groups". Guardian.
- ^ "The battle for Misplaced Pages: Palestinians counter Israeli editing group". Ynetnews. 28 August 2010.
- Readers Discuss Misplaced Pages Editing Course That Aims for ‘Balanced and Zionist’ Entries By ROBERT MACKEY August 23, 2010, 1:12 PM
- ^ Misplaced Pages founder: Israel-Palestine is heavily debated, but we're vigilant on neutrality, Haaretz
- Sales, Ben (19 May 2015). "Misplaced Pages founder Jimmy Wales likes Israel but stays neutral". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
External links
| Judea and Samaria Area | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cities |  | |
| Regional committee | ||
| Regional councils | ||
| Local councils | ||
| See also | ||