How Israel can fight the 'Palestinian state'
Joseph Puder argues that the only way Israel can win the propaganda war against it is by having its own satellite television channel to get its message across. You know, like al-Jazeera or something like that. The state of Israel has failed miserably in winning over the English-speaking world, as well as the French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russians, by ignoring the need for an essential media tool — a satellite television channel with an ability to broadcast worldwide news reports and interviews, similar to Al-Jazeera, Al-Arabiya, or the BBC. Even Hezbollah had the foresight to set up a satellite operation, Al-Manar, influencing viewers across Europe and the Middle East. Since Israel is not on the world communications map, it is neither on the geographic map. Israel has foolishly depended on outlets such as CNN and the BBC to bring its side of the story to English speaking households. Its image has been severely damaged as a result, leading to a worldwide willingness to participate in a concerted effort to delegitimize the state through a so-called “BDS” campaign of boycotts, divestment, and sanctions.This is not a new idea. So why hasn't it happened? One reason is that the Israeli government is incapable of doing it. The government would insist on giving equal time to Haaretz-like views that would do more harm than good.
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An armed Palestinian state would be an unequivocal strategic threat to the state of Israel. It would threaten major Israeli population centers, its international airport (Ben Gurion), and its power stations — all of which are within range of artillery fire, not to mention the sophisticated missiles the new state would rush to acquire.
And so, it is tragically uncanny that a technologically sophisticated Israel has neglected to mount a robust public relations campaign through a worldwide satellite TV channel station. Such neglect represents gross negligence on the part of the successive Israeli governments. Israel has the facilities: TV studios, qualified broadcasters, and technical personnel who know how to create and operate a satellite TV. And Israel enjoys the money to bankroll such an operation. What it lacks is the will to take action. Israel’s well-being depends on arming itself with a global communications weapon like Al-Jazeera.
An Israeli, pro-Zionist, Al-Jazeera-like channel would help Israel overcome the biased reporting of European and most American channels, and would reach households in Europe as well as the U.S. with a clear and undiluted message as to the dangers a Palestinian state would pose to Israel, Jordan, and the region.
Utilizing satellite technology would allow Israel’s 7 million people to match the Arab/Muslim world propaganda, even with its vast resources and 350 million people. As Israel is being savaged and delegitimized in the media, on campus, and in international institutions, Israel must fight back — not with government press releases, speeches, conferences, or meetings with world leaders, but by bringing its message to ordinary citizens worldwide.
What could go wrong?
Labels: BDS, Palestinian propaganda, satellite television
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 5:49 PM
5 Comments:
Carl - not the Israeli government. Arutz Sheva could do it - if it could find a way to raise the funds involved.
I'd rather have it be a privately-financed media operation. That would side-step the question of whether leftist views need equal time on an Israeli satellite channel.
Its not really a question of means. Its a question of will and this is an issue Israel's private sector should address.
Ah!... The English television news. 2second news clip,the six minute commercials every five minutes. They call it headlines interior, then exterior and then sports. What garbage television.
I can see it now, their "news" would be all about how successful Israel was in technology, medicine, & other material stuff, how great Israel was in terms of humanitarianism....i.e., that Israel was better off and better than others .... and oh yeah, lots of "news" broadcasts about the freedom of the enormous gay lifestyle, near naked women on the beach or modeling and beauties in the IDF, seductive parties in Tel Aviv, etc...woo hoo... that'll soften hearts & minds of their Islamist enemies & mobilize their conservative Christian supporters .../not.
I agree that a private effort is the way to go. I
have been trying to identify a source of funds for such an enterprise. Thus far I have been unable to contact Russian Jewish millionaire Vladimir Slutzker (http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/news/rss/734237/Russian-banker-denies-new-channel-will-Jewish-Al-Jazeera/) who proposed to do something similar.
It may be that readers of the blog will have more success in contacting Mr. Slutzker or identifying some other source of funding.
My background is in psychological operations and I would be more than happy to work on this type of project with others.
Dave S
I used to work for Arutz Sheva and I can tell you there were 3 oppurtunities to create something like a Jewish Al Jazeera incorporating Arutz Sheva just in the time I was there.
On all three occasions the effort was destroyed not because of lack of resources but because of ego, and misplaced ideals, and clashing factions underminig one another.
Frankly I dont see something like a Jewish Al Jazeera happening anytime soon.
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