The Hidden Agenda: Media Tactics to Obscure the Israeli War Crimes in Gaza
In light of the Israeli war on Gaza, a shameful media campaign has emerged, orchestrated by the West, against the Palestinian nation. This calculated strategy aims to divert attention from the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and instead defend atrocities committed by the Israeli occupation. Through the manipulation of public opinion, these media outlets seek to impose their false narrative upon the global stage, obscuring the central issue at hand: the decades-long occupation of Palestine by Israel.
Today, the deviation of public opinion through propaganda has become a key strategy against the Palestinian resistance and their allies. By redirecting the focus away from the Israeli occupation, the Western media attempt to undermine those who strive for their rightful claims to their land. This concerted effort aims to legitimize the colonization of Palestinian territories by Israeli settlers, disregarding the inherent rights of the native population. In this war, Israel has continued its scorched earth policy, employing indiscriminate airstrikes against civilians and deliberately targeting hospitals, schools, refugee shelters, residential buildings, mosques, churches, bakeries, and aid convoys.
Throughout the recent conflict, we have witnessed an influx of pro-Israeli media attempts to sway public opinion, influencing investigative journalism by Western medical professionals who allow their anti-Palestinian bias to taint their reporting.
A poignant political cartoon circulating on social media depicts a grieving mother in Gaza cradling her murdered child while surrounded by arms wielding microphones bearing the logos of Western media outlets such as CNN and Sky News. The cartoon, aptly titled "But do you also condemn Hamas?" encapsulates the moral bankruptcy of media practices that forsake true coverage of the conflict's roots, such as the Israeli occupation and the legitimate right of Palestinians to self-defense. Hamas, like other Palestinian resistance groups, is a product of decades of Israeli blind violence against Palestinians.
The ceaseless propaganda war persists even during moments of ceasefire. Despite Western governments consistently advocating for humanitarian ceasefires, the Israeli regime has sought to undermine crucial mediators by attacking them directly. This aggressive approach is aptly described by international security studies researcher James Der Derian as "war by other means. Israel’s anti-diplomacy efforts manifest through multifaceted attacks at domestic, regional, and international levels.
On November 23, Israel's foreign ministry posted an edited video on X (former Twitter) showcasing an Israeli soldier seemingly navigating a Hamas tunnel near Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital. The video cleverly emphasizes the proximity of the tunnel to the "Qatar compound" and "Qatar building," mentioning Qatar three times. Such carefully chosen references aim to convey specific messages. This particular act is part of a broader effort to link Qatar to Hamas and reinforce Israel's propaganda that Al-Shifa Hospital served as a command and control center for Palestinian resistance, as Qatar has played a leading role in mediating for a humanitarian truce. Hence, by undermining the credibility of Qatar as a mediator, Israel hopes to exert pressure and secure more favorable peace terms.
Interestingly, the media tactics of the Israeli regime sometimes contradict the position of its primary ally, the United States. This discrepancy arises primarily from Israeli beleaguered Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's desire for an endless war, driven by his need to divert attention from domestic political and legal challenges, as well as his unsuccessful attempt to eradicate Hamas.
In other words, as the current ceasefire and the end of the war favor Palestinian resistance groups, Netanyahu persists in his propaganda war, aiming to secure concessions through alternative means.
Conclusion:
The Israel-Gaza conflict has not only witnessed the horrors of war but also a parallel propaganda war. Through calculated media operations, the Western governments and the Israeli regime seek to manipulate public opinion and divert attention from the occupation of Palestine. By shedding light on these deceptive tactics, we can strive for a more nuanced understanding of the conflict and work towards a just and lasting resolution that upholds the legitimate rights of Palestinians.
