By Mel Frykberg RAMALLAH, Sept. 7 (IPS)
- Palestinians and Israelis use the media as a new battleground to win over international public opinion.
Israel for decades led the way with the ingenious and professional Hasbara (Hebrew for "enlightenment"), their propaganda machine. This was operated from their consulates and embassies around the world with privileged access to international media.
However, in recent years, world opinion has become increasingly critical of Israel, especially its treatment of Palestinians, both in the occupied territories and within their own borders.
Behind the apparent legions of ordinary citizens who support Israel and make their presence strongly felt in letters to newspapers, radio and Internet sites, there are a lot of money and carefully orchestrated campaigns from Tel Aviv. Journalists critical of Israel have been subjected to such maneuvers.
But Palestinians learn fast these weapons of war, and are ready to respond.
During the fierce military attack on Gaza in 2008 and 2009, a horrified international community saw as the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) killed more than 1,400 Palestinians, most of them civilians, cornered and no place to hide.
was at this point that Israel Hasbara quickened. Israeli Foreign Ministry set up a "war machine on the Internet" as part of its annual budget.
More than $ 150,000 went to the early stages of this propaganda offensive carried out by public relations departments of government and private organizations and groups. Their mission: to counter negative publicity in the media.
The task force was composed of academics and former soldiers fluent in several languages \u200b\u200band expert Internet users. Were paid to surf the web and disseminate positive views of Israel ...
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