Frustrated vs Desperate

Ban Ki Moon crtitcised Israel last week in the UN Security Council:   "... Palestinian frustration and grievances are growing under the weight of nearly a half-century of occupation. Ignoring this won’t make it disappear..."

In 2002-2005 Palestinians were "desperate". The wave of suicide bombings was because they were "desperate". Today it seems the Palestinians are no longer desperate, they are "frustrated". The propaganda unit has obviously been working on finessing the language.

So what are the propaganda benefits of using the word  "frustrated" over the word "desperate"?

    Everyone experiences frustration. Not everyone experiences desperation.

    Frustration is less extreme, milder than desperation.

    Frustration is more of an internal state of mind. We often do nothing about frustration except to simply "be frustrated". On the other hand when people are desperate they act.

"Frustrated" is  a superior propaganda word to evoke sympathy for Palestinians than "desperate". It creates a stronger bond of empathy.

But anyone looking at Israel's position in the Middle East conflict will see that the word "frustration" applies better to it. Let's twist Ban Ki Moon's statement and see if it rings more true:  "... Israeli frustration is growing under the weight of nearly a half-century of Palestinian rejectionism. Knife attacks and violence is never going to make it disappear..."

Doesn't that sit better? Frustration is something that you keep bottled up inside. That's Israel! Ban Ki Moon you've got it all wrong.

SOURCE