Israel is escalating its conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, with thousands of Lebanese forced from their homes and a significant number killed in the violence. In addition to air raids and preparations for a land invasion, Israel is also using psychological tactics to manufacture consent for all-out war.
This tactic is highlighted by a terrifying new plan to ethnically cleanse North Gaza, which has received support from across the Israeli political spectrum. “Hasbara,” or explanation and persuasion in Hebrew, has long been a key strategy of the Zionist movement. This includes media-trained government spokespeople, PR campaigns portraying the Israeli army as both moral and cool, and messaging on social media.
Online Zionist influencers, known as hasbarists, are facing new challenges in light of the ongoing violence in Gaza. They are tasked with justifying Israel’s actions and combating negative narratives, but the scale of the violence has made their job more difficult.
The article features insights from various experts and commentators, including Habib Battah, Ori Goldberg, Zahera Harb, Assal Rad, Tariq Nafi, Hen Mazzig, Saree Makdisi, Tamara Nassar, and Matt Lieb. These individuals provide valuable perspectives on the situation in the region and the tactics being utilized by Israel to shape public opinion and justify their actions in the conflict.
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