How wars are described often determines how they are understood. In the case of the Middle East, coverage frequently begins at the moment Israel reacts. Headlines announce that “Israel strikes,” “Israel attacks,” or “Israel escalates.” Rarely do they say that Israel is responding.

This choice of language is not neutral. By placing Israeli action at the center of the narrative and treating violence as if it begins at the moment of response, much of the coverage obscures what precedes these confrontations: Iran’s long campaign conducted through militias and regional allies.

This pattern became even more evident after Hamas’s attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. Even when rockets were fired at Israeli cities or Iran-aligned militias carried out attacks across the region, the dominant narrative continued to frame Israel’s response as the starting point of violence.

This linguistic detail is not trivial. Words shape perception. When reactions are consistently portrayed as aggression, a simplified narrative takes hold: Israel as the perpetual aggressor and its adversaries as recurring victims. This interpretation, however, ignores a central element of the Middle East’s recent history.

Contrary to what is often suggested, Israel and the United States did not........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)