The illusion of truth: Why the press is wrong about settlers - opinion

Uri Geller argues that Western media systematically vilifies West Bank settlers through repeated negative framing, creating an 'illusion of truth.' He cites Shin Bet data showing only a few hundred of 750,000 settlers are violent, contrasting with UN figures, and claims media omits context about Palestinian violence and foreign activists.

Uri Geller argues that Western media systematically vilifies West Bank settlers through repeated negative framing, creating what he calls an 'illusion of truth.' He cites recent confrontations during the olive harvest, claiming media reports omit that Palestinians arrived with fireworks and that foreign activists were present. Geller notes that European diplomats visiting Taybeh did not coordinate with the IDF, implying they sought confrontation. He contrasts Shin Bet data showing only a few hundred of 750,000 settlers are involved in violence with UN figures of over 2,000 settler attacks (which include non-violent acts), arguing Palestinian violence is underreported. The piece invokes the Illusion of Truth Effect, a 1977 psychological study, to explain why repetition of negative claims makes them believable. Geller discloses he owns property in Gush Etzion.