Information Warfare: July 3, 2002

Archives

Israel is trying to spotlight, in the world media, the Palestinian attitudes towards Israel and the current terrorism campaign. This does not make the Palestinians look very attractive. It's no secret that Palestinian media is full of casual references to the total destruction of Israel, and has been for decades. Recent incidents, like the picture of the Palestinian two year dressed up like a suicide bomber, show how pervasive is the Palestinian acceptance of the policy of attacking civilians. European media and politicians (and to a lesser extent the European population) has portrayed the Palestinians as helpless, innocent and blameless victims. The Israeli Information War campaign is trying to change those attitudes, especially in light of European demands that foreign peacekeepers (Americans, preferably) be sent in to enforce a peace deal. That would be unlikely, but economic sanctions are more likely and would cost many Israelis their jobs.