You would think that the AP would give us a break on Yom Kippur.
You would be wrong.
Israel shuts down for Day of Atonement amid fears
Alternate headline:
Israel shuts down for Yom Kippur, amid fears of perceived Iranian nuclear threat
Ohmigod! Israelis are terrified! What, what could possibly be the reason for this headline?
The start of the Jewish Day of Atonement at sundown Sunday marked the beginning of a day like no other in Israel, on which even Israelis with no connection to religion tend to put their normal lives on hold.
This year Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, comes at a particularly somber time following revelations of a previously hidden Iranian nuclear facility and more missile tests by the Revolutionary Guard.
Holy cow! The Iranians are trying to build a nuclear weapon? Did you know that? Did we know that? Did anyone know that? No wonder Israelis are terrified on Yom Kippur! Iran is trying to build a nuke!
“That proves to whoever was still in doubt that Iran is the most serious threat today on the peace of the world and its security,” said Israeli Deputy Foreign Ministry Danny Ayalon, speaking to Israeli Channel 10.
Um… and this is newly scary because…?
When Yom Kippur began at around 5 p.m. local time, TV and radio stations blinked off the air, flights in and out of Israel’s international airport ceased, and nearly all businesses closed. The streets emptied of cars and cities and highways were eerily quiet.
[…] But the holiday’s apparent calm conflicted with many Israelis’ fears about the perceived Iranian threat.
This fearmongering story quotes exactly zero Israelis who say they are scared. Really. Not a single quote. Not one. So I have to ask: What exactly is the point of this article? To being the narrative that a fearful Israel is going to lash out at Iran? Or is it just plain lousy journalism?
I’m thinking the latter.
So, all my fearful Israelis, I hope you have an easy fast, and may you be inscribed in the Book of Life for a good year. Maybe even a less fearful one.