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Suggested language for talking about the Palestinian struggle for self-determination
What they are saying about the Lexicon
"Distortion of language is a particularly insidious form of propaganda, insinuating beliefs by stealth that should be questioned and often rejected. The lexicon provides instructive illustrations, and highlights the need for careful attention to avoid these traps" -- Prof. Noam Chomsky

"A sensible and perceptive corrective to mainstream media double-speak on the Israel-Palestine conflict" -- Prof. Norman Finkelstein
This page provides supporters of a just end to the Palestinian struggle for self-determination with a standardized lexicon to use when writing or talking about the Palestinian struggle.

The aim is to adopt one common set of expressions and words when engaging the mainstream media, with the hope of instituting a linguistic and therefore conceptual framework for thinking and talking about the struggle that can compete with the well-honed and carefully crafted language of the Israel-first propaganda machine.

Moreover, the use of an alternative lexicon will quickly highlight that the prevailing language used to talk about the Palestinian struggle is not at all "neutral": calling the Israeli army the "Israeli Occupation Forces" rather than the "Israeli Defense Forces", for instance, challenges the basic premise that unerlies all Israeli justifications for violence against Palestinians: that Israel is only defending itself rather than aggressively engaging in a the colonization of a whole people.

The Lexicon is of course offered as a suggested alternative to the language used in the mainstream media, and adopters should exercise their own judgment as to when the alternative is or is not appropriate. There are times, for instance, when "security measures" are just that: e.g., security measures when boarding an airplane. But when it is clear that the so-called "security measures" explanation is absurd (e.g., the shelling of a civilian area), then "collective punishment" would be more appropriate.

So, if you write letters to the editor, op-eds, talk to editors and reporters, give talks or engage others in concersations about the Palestinian struggle, consider adopting this language.

Note: this lexicon was collectively developed with feedback from dozens of activists and organizations.

"Anti-occupation": vs. "pro-Palestinian".

"Apartheid Wall": vs. "security barrier", "fence", etc.

"Collective punishment measures": vs. "security measures".

"Expansion": vs. "natural growth".

"Ehud Barak's ultimatum": vs. "Ehud Barak's generous offers".

"Extra-judicial liquidation": vs. "targeted killing".

"Invasion": vs. "incursion".

"Israeli colonizers": vs. "Israeli settlers".

"Israeli Occupation Forces": vs. "Israeli Defense Forces".

"Israeli withdrawal from illegally occupied land": vs. "Israeli territorial concessions".

"Israeli-only colonies": vs. "settlements".

"Israeli-only roads": vs. "by-pass roads".

"Israeli assault against Palestinian civilians": vs. "military operation".

"Military checkpoints": vs. "checkpoints".

"Occupied Arab Jerusalem": vs. just "Jerusalem". Also, include "Occupied Jerusalem" when talking about the OTs (we often say just West Bank and Gaza when referring to the OTs).

"Palestinian political prisoners": vs. "Palestinian prisoners".

"Palestinian armed resistance": vs. "Palestinian violence".

"Palestinian resistance fighters": vs. "Palestinian militants".

"Palestinian struggle for self-determination": vs. "Palestinian-Israeli conflict", "Palestine-Israel conflict".

"Political assassinations": vs. "crack down on militants".

"Pro-occupation": vs. "Jewish", "pro-Israel", or "pro-Israeli".

"Race-driven concerns": vs. "demographic concerns".

"Random mass detention": vs. "security sweep".

"Siege": vs. "curfew", "town lockdown", "town closure".

"Torture": vs "physical pressure".

"US-financed Israeli military": vs "Israeli military".

"US support of the Israeli occupation": vs "US support for Israel".

List of early adopters:

  • Al-Awda
  • Arab Media Watch
  • Palestine Media Watch
  • The Charlotte Fellowship Of Reconciliation
  • The Committee for Palestinian Human Rights at Ohio University
  • The US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation

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    If your group would like to officially join the common-usage adopters, please click here

    For more suggestions on language issues, please consult:

  • Paul de Rooij's "Glossary of Occupation".
  • Al-Awda's language page.

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