Is it true that US billionaires are waging psychological war on the Palestinian people?
**US Billionaires Use WhatsApp to Influence Opinion on Israel-Gaza Conflict**
**May 24, 2024, 20:08 Asia/Jakarta**
A recent report by the Washington Post has revealed that a group of US billionaires used WhatsApp to shape public opinion about Israel’s war on Gaza and to pressure New York City's Mayor, Eric Adams, to disperse a pro-Palestinian demonstration at Columbia University. The group, called "Israel Current Events," was formed on October 12, and includes influential figures such as Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, Dell founder Michael Dell, and Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Joshua Kushner.
The report details how members of this group attempted to censor free speech and student demonstrations, fundamental democratic principles, by pushing Mayor Adams to use police force against the protesters. Additionally, they offered to fund private investigators to monitor the demonstrations, further illustrating the use of their wealth to suppress dissent.
Initiated by real estate tycoon Barry Sternlicht through an intermediary, the group aimed to support Israel in both the war of public opinion in the US and the physical conflict in Gaza. The war has resulted in over 35,000 Palestinian deaths, mostly women and children, and displaced over half of Gaza's population.
The WhatsApp group consists of more than 100 members, many of whom are listed as billionaires by Forbes. During the conflict, the group held secret meetings with prominent Israeli figures, including former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, opposition member Benny Gantz, and Israeli Ambassador to the US, Michael Herzog. They also collaborated with the Israeli government to promote a film about the October 7 attack, which reportedly killed 1,200 Zionist soldiers.
In November, Sternlicht, with support from the media and business moguls, launched a $50 million campaign against Hamas. This report raises concerns about the influence of financial power on political and social decisions, highlighting the urgent need for regulations to prevent the misuse of wealth and power that can harm freedom and social justice.
The investigation calls for a deeper look into the impacts of these actions on student demonstrations and freedom of expression, underscoring the dangers of financial influence on democratic principles.
