Vox populi: Content analysis of press responses and talk-backs to key issues of quality of life and social welfare -- The cases of Judea and Samaria and the Israeli Arabs

The paper deals with press responses and talk-backs in the electronic media dealing with two informative news items focusing on two sectors of the Israeli population -- the Jewish sector and the Arab sector. One item analyzed is Judea & Samaria Statistical Abstract 2007, dealing with the Jewish population residing in the West Bank. The other item is a document published by the (Arab) Mossawa Institute, dealing with poverty in the Israeli Arab sector. Both items deal with common key issues -- quality of life and social welfare. The paper points at two main conclusions ensuing from the analyzes done: First, the press disregard of the Mossawa press release reflects the exclusion attitude pertaining to the Arab population in Israel, which is not seen as an integral of the Israeli society. Second, the talk-backs on their part reflect a great deal of sympathy to the Jewish settlers of Judea & Samaria, and deep antipathy to the Israeli Arab population and its plight. This is reflected both in the content of the talk-backs as well as their verbal use and abuse. Adapted from the source document.