Israel Resources

Write A Letter-To-the-Editor
There is only one way to make sure your local paper prints your views exactly - and that is to write them yourself! The Editorial Page is one of the most popular sections of the daily newspapers. You should write a letter whenever you have an important message to get across, see a slanted news story or headline, or need to respond to an anti-Israel editorial, letter or column. This is one of the most important ways that you can be an active advocate for Israel.

Why a Letter-to-the-Editor?

• It is easy to write:
  A letter-to-the-editor need not be more than 300 words.
• Is has a good chance of getting printed:
  The "Letters" section is the reader's forum.
• Letters have power in numbers:
  Even if your letter is not published, a flood of letters from the community cannot be ignored by any editor.

When is a Letter-to-the-Editor appropriate?

• Supporting key legislation:
  Show your Members of Congress that you support them when they support Israel, and encourage those who are uncommitted to take action.
• Correcting slanted or inaccurate news coverage:
  When your local newspaper does not fairly and accurately report news from the Middle East, set the record straight with a letter.
• Responding to hostile editorials or letters:
  Do not let critics of Israel go unanswered. Write a letter-to-the-editor with your views on the Middle East.
• Praising an editorial or news item:
  Highlighting a good article or editorial multiplies the positive impact of the original message.
• Commemorating significant anniversaries:
  Write a letter using key events as launching points for discussion of important principles. Use the attached "Calendar of Anniversaries in Jewish History" for ideas and sample letters.

How do I Get my Letter Published?

1. Look for instructions for faxing or mailing letters-to-the-editor on the editorial page of your local paper. Mark your envelope or letter: ATTENTION: Letters-to-the-Editor.
2. Be sure to include your name, as you would like it printed, as well as your address and home and daytime phone-numbers. Your phone number is important, because editors sometimes wish to check facts or the identity of the author.
3. Call the editorial page editor 3 days after you have mailed or 1 day after you have faxed your letter to confirm that they received it. Ask if they plan to publish your letter. If they do not plan to run your letter, listen to their reasons why, and try to address their concerns with your next letter.

Write A Letter-To-the-Editor: Guidelines

• SET TOUR OWN AGENDA.
  Your letter is your forum. Do not waste precious words repeating the charges in the story to which you are replying or the arguments of the other side. Not everyone will have seen the original and you don't want to give it extra mileage.
• BE FACTUAL.
  The facts are our best weapon in the war of the printed word. Including a fact, statistic or quotation strengthens the credibility of your letter and educates your readers.
• BE TIMELY.
  Your letter should be written and mailed immediately after the publication of a problematic news story or editorial; it may take up to 30 days from the date of receipt for a newspaper to publish a letter.
• BE LOCAL.
  Find a "hook" for your letter that brings the issue home to the reader, i.e. a recent trip to Israel by members of the community, a vote by your Member of Congress, how foreign aid to Israel is spent in your state, or a local story that is related to events in the Middle East. Use local geographic points to illustrate Israel's security predicament.
• BE FOCUSED.
  Confine your letter to a single issue; too many issues may detract from making one point very forcefully and convincingly.
• BE CONCISE.
  Delete unnecessary phrases or words. A short letter has a better chance of being published and it is better that you edit it than an editor who might dilute or distort your main point.
• BE RATIONAL.
  Keep your message factual and discussion logical. Expressing hostility or bitterness will undermine your credibility.
• BE AWARE OF EYE APPEAL.
  Keep your paragraphs short. Narrow newspaper columns make long paragraphs seem longer and uninviting.
• BE INTERESTING.
  Spark the reader's interest with the opening sentence. Close it with a sentence that leaves the reader thinking.