Spanish case: Moral disengagement and antisemitism as explanation

The article discusses how the Arab-Israeli conflict receives disproportionate attention in Western media, often fueled by a cycle involving Palestinian activists, NGOs, and the United Nations. This cycle, outlined by Matthew Cohen and Chuck Freilich, involves NGOs issuing biased reports condemning Israeli actions, followed by UN investigations led by individuals often hostile to Israel. These reports, amplified by the media, limit Israel's military freedom and create a distorted perception, making Israel appear as a primary global villain. Historian Richard Landes notes that repeated accusations, even if unproven, become difficult to refute. Psychologist Albert Bandura's concept of selective moral disengagement explains how moral standards are suspended, allowing harmful behavior to be redefined as honorable, thus normalizing antisemitism and anti-Zionism. This context helps explain a significant surge in Spanish-language antisemitism, particularly online, with a 321% increase in reported cases in Spain in 2024 compared to 2023. Spanish media has contributed to this hostile climate through demonizing coverage, and political figures, such as Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, have been criticized for statements that fuel hatred.