[Los Angeles Times] Batsheva Sobelman - Usually, the tone of the reporters' voice is enough. Radio phrases such as "fierce combat," "heavy exchange of fire" or "grave incident" are harbingers of trouble. Long-trained in reading between the lines of journalistic nuances, Israeli ears quickly note the omission of the "no casualties among our forces" and know this can only mean one thing: A soldier has died. Israel's front lines are on its doorstep and Israel remains a small country with small-town-like family and social ties. Most get their daytime news from one of two radio stations, and bad news travels fast in a country where nearly everyone knows someone in the army. Military fatalities are not formally announced until the immediate family has been informed. Information is withheld temporarily to spare families from learning this from the media.
2008-04-18 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive