It's everywhere: Israeli propaganda has done an excellent job at concealing the truth behind Israel's motives in Lebanon. Whatever it is, many players of this propaganda machine that is defending every Israeli action, from the most unjust (and therefore indefensible) to the seemingly "just". However, despite the huge number of proof denouncing Hasbara and other similar propaganda outlets, I will focus on a small sample.
Yonit Farago, a TimesOnline journalist in Jerusalem, published a report on how Israeli propagandists have taken to the net in order to supposedly "balance" the views on the conflict. He wrote,
In the words of Haitham Sabbah, Hasbara is "a well-oiled propaganda machine". It has many supporters and propagators eagerly and blindly ready to justify Israeli atrocities. Moreover, Hasbara actually has a handbook... Hasbara techniques, according to Wikipedia, involves a handful of propaganda and debating techniques. The first is Name calling: through the careful use of words, then name calling technique links a person or an idea to a negative symbol. This happened to me several times. I can't recall how many times I was branded as an anti-Semite just because I can't seemingly focus on other conflicts like Darfur (posted about it) and Somalia (already did) as well as other places like China (that requires a big one).
Another technique is Glittering generality: Simply put, glittering generality is name calling in reverse. Instead of trying to attach negative meanings to ideas or people, glittering generalities use positive phrases, which the audience are attached to, in order to lend positive image to things. Words such as "freedom", "civilization", etc. These generalities are subjective: remember that freedom is, as I explained before, inane, and that civilization depends on who is defining it. Furthermore, these generalities put a label on everyone involved in the particular group being glorified or denounced; many Israeli delinquents and even more Arab scholars are enough to drop this silly technique altogether.
A third technique is Transfer: Transfer involves taking some of the prestige and authority of one concept and applying it to another. For example, a speaker might decide to speak in front of a United Nations flag, in an attempt to gain legitimacy for himself or his idea. Of course, this is the silliest idea yet... at first glance. However, when you take a look at how Zionists worldwide are making a suddenly big fuss about the Darfur genocide, they appear as somewhat humane, and therefore their justifications for Israeli atrocities make no difference (I highlighted before that Darfur's genocide is similar to how the Zionists took over Palestine in 1948).
A fourth technique is Testimonial: Testimonial means enlisting the support of somebody admired or famous to endorse and ideal or campaign. This still does not add any value. If a famous person says that the Israeli massacre of the Lebanese these days is justified, that doesn't make it any more or any less justified in the eyes of the world community.
Another technique is the Plain folks technique: The plain folks technique attempts to convince the listener that the speaker is a 'regular guy', who is trust-worthy because the are like 'you or me'. Well, thanks for clearing up the bit that Zionists are also human, like you and me.
Fear and manipulation of it is always used in propaganda outlets, but fear is everywhere, and does not need to be incited in war time. Moreover, refusing to listen to propaganda will not create war nor conflict, unless Israel demands it to do so. However, usually the techniques involved include "fighting for peace", and you all know what Stephen King said about that.
Finally, there is the Bandwagon technique, which creates the impression that Israel is the right country to support. This could be achieved by nationalistic displays and marches in support of "Eretz Israel". I've seen marches on television in support of dictators like Qaddhafi and Saddam Hussein, so does that make them any more right? Of course not.
I leave you with a much mroe detailed critique of Hasbara. It is indeed a terrible propaganda outlet. Watch out for it. We want to just shift through all this senseless talk and get right down to the core facts of the matter, or the facts on the ground. Let's just hope that Israel's supporters abandon this bollocks, and instead call bullshit what it is. As long as we both view the humanity in all Zionists and anti-Zionists and peaceniks alike, and that the only way to stop this conflict is to take accountability for all actions and injustices done in the past, we can surely head for a brighter future.
Salaam, from
Saracen
Yonit Farago, a TimesOnline journalist in Jerusalem, published a report on how Israeli propagandists have taken to the net in order to supposedly "balance" the views on the conflict. He wrote,
Israel’s Government has thrown its weight behind efforts by supporters to counter what it believes to be negative bias and a tide of pro-Arab propaganda. The Foreign Ministry has ordered trainee diplomats to track websites and chatrooms so that networks of US and European groups with hundreds of thousands of Jewish activists can place supportive messages.Well, personally, I like debate. However, there are times when actions can't be defended against, even by most moral standards. For example, when Saddam gassed the Kurds back in the late 80's onwards, no one stood to defend it. Likewise, what we are seeing is a massacre of innocent civilians and a destruction of civilian infrastructure. We are also seeing attacks on Israeli towns and cities, with casualties on the rise. So, technically, I'm not blind to the Israelis as I have shown enough consideration here.
In the past week nearly 5,000 members of the World Union of Jewish Students (WUJS) have downloaded special “megaphone” software that alerts them to anti-Israeli chatrooms or internet polls to enable them to post contrary viewpoints. A student team in Jerusalem combs the web in a host of different languages to flag the sites so that those who have signed up can influence an opinion survey or the course of a debate.
Jonny Cline, of the international student group, said that Jewish students and youth groups with their understanding of the web environment were ideally placed to present another side to the debate.However, when Hamas gets voted in, many people rushed in to vote negatively. Therefore, Hasbara is aggressive as well as "defensive". What struck me, however, is how Mr. Cline claimed that Israel should be defended at all costs, even when the case involves, for example, an Israeli soldier shooting a 9-year-old girl. The Israelis can't stand and defend every action they take: not only is it sick and inhumane, but it is also a disassurance to more moderate Israelis and gives Israelis in general a bad name.
“We’re saying to these people that if Israel is being bashed, don’t ignore it, change it,” Mr Cline said. “A poll like CNN’s takes just a few seconds to vote in, but if thousands take part the outcome will be changed. What’s vital is that the international face of the conflict is balanced.”
Israel’s Foreign Ministry must avoid direct involvement with the campaign but is in contact with international Jewish and evangelical Christian groups, distributing internet information packs.Balance... it's just that on Al Jazeera and other news stations, I have seen how Israelis suffered from Katyusha attacks as much as Lebanese and Palestinians suffered from the Israeli onslaught. Therefore, no Hasbara is needed; I need it as much as I want to add salt to my morning coffee.
Amir Gissin, the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s public relations director, said: “The internet’s become a leading tool for news, shaping the world view of millions. Our problem is the foreign media shows Lebanese suffering, but not Israeli. We’re bypassing that filter by distributing pictures showing how northern Israelis suffer from Katyusha rocket attacks.”
In the words of Haitham Sabbah, Hasbara is "a well-oiled propaganda machine". It has many supporters and propagators eagerly and blindly ready to justify Israeli atrocities. Moreover, Hasbara actually has a handbook... Hasbara techniques, according to Wikipedia, involves a handful of propaganda and debating techniques. The first is Name calling: through the careful use of words, then name calling technique links a person or an idea to a negative symbol. This happened to me several times. I can't recall how many times I was branded as an anti-Semite just because I can't seemingly focus on other conflicts like Darfur (posted about it) and Somalia (already did) as well as other places like China (that requires a big one).
Another technique is Glittering generality: Simply put, glittering generality is name calling in reverse. Instead of trying to attach negative meanings to ideas or people, glittering generalities use positive phrases, which the audience are attached to, in order to lend positive image to things. Words such as "freedom", "civilization", etc. These generalities are subjective: remember that freedom is, as I explained before, inane, and that civilization depends on who is defining it. Furthermore, these generalities put a label on everyone involved in the particular group being glorified or denounced; many Israeli delinquents and even more Arab scholars are enough to drop this silly technique altogether.
A third technique is Transfer: Transfer involves taking some of the prestige and authority of one concept and applying it to another. For example, a speaker might decide to speak in front of a United Nations flag, in an attempt to gain legitimacy for himself or his idea. Of course, this is the silliest idea yet... at first glance. However, when you take a look at how Zionists worldwide are making a suddenly big fuss about the Darfur genocide, they appear as somewhat humane, and therefore their justifications for Israeli atrocities make no difference (I highlighted before that Darfur's genocide is similar to how the Zionists took over Palestine in 1948).
A fourth technique is Testimonial: Testimonial means enlisting the support of somebody admired or famous to endorse and ideal or campaign. This still does not add any value. If a famous person says that the Israeli massacre of the Lebanese these days is justified, that doesn't make it any more or any less justified in the eyes of the world community.
Another technique is the Plain folks technique: The plain folks technique attempts to convince the listener that the speaker is a 'regular guy', who is trust-worthy because the are like 'you or me'. Well, thanks for clearing up the bit that Zionists are also human, like you and me.
Fear and manipulation of it is always used in propaganda outlets, but fear is everywhere, and does not need to be incited in war time. Moreover, refusing to listen to propaganda will not create war nor conflict, unless Israel demands it to do so. However, usually the techniques involved include "fighting for peace", and you all know what Stephen King said about that.
Finally, there is the Bandwagon technique, which creates the impression that Israel is the right country to support. This could be achieved by nationalistic displays and marches in support of "Eretz Israel". I've seen marches on television in support of dictators like Qaddhafi and Saddam Hussein, so does that make them any more right? Of course not.
I leave you with a much mroe detailed critique of Hasbara. It is indeed a terrible propaganda outlet. Watch out for it. We want to just shift through all this senseless talk and get right down to the core facts of the matter, or the facts on the ground. Let's just hope that Israel's supporters abandon this bollocks, and instead call bullshit what it is. As long as we both view the humanity in all Zionists and anti-Zionists and peaceniks alike, and that the only way to stop this conflict is to take accountability for all actions and injustices done in the past, we can surely head for a brighter future.
Salaam, from
Saracen
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