The twisted terminology of Arabists have dominated the media for several decades and disinform children, youth and the general public via reference materials disseminated by highly respected publishers. The terms under discussion are found in online databases of Grolier, World Book, Gale, ABC-CLIO, and Facts on File. There are as well several well-known British publishers (Routledge, Encyclopedia Britannica, and Oxford University Press). Unfortunately, bias in publications from Great Britain can only be surprising in the breach. One leading indicator to a publisher’s dedication to present controversial issues in an unbiased manner is the language that is permitted, or not permitted, to be used in articles on these issues.
When is an armistice line a border? Only when referring to the 1949 armistice lines agreed upon by Jordan and Israel in their meeting in Rhodes. The Green Line, as it is referred to, is a temporary line indicating the locations of troops at the moment that a truce was claimed by both parties.* Firm boundaries, or borders, were to be negotiated. There has not to date been an agreed upon negotiation that establishes borders. Hence, the term “borders” has been consistently misused, delegitimizing the presence of Jewish settlers in what is, in fact, a disputed territory, and further implying an illegal occupation of legitimate areas of residence and oversight. Military presence is also appropriate, since a not insignificant number of Arab residents continue to plague Israel with suicide bombings, slaughter, and taking of hostages.
* http://www.uc4i.org/news/?p=6737
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