Why Isn’t the Israeli Propaganda Working Anymore?
Despite the Israeli propaganda, pro-Palestine protests are happening every day and across the world, and on November 11, one million protesters were expected in Central London.
For years, the mainstream media has been brainwashing its audiences with an Islamophobic narrative, portraying Middle Easterners as violent.
But this time, Hollywood celebrities, including singer Kehlani and actress Cynthia Nixon have urged for the genocide of Palestinians to stop.
The accessible and rapid nature of social media has revealed what’s truly happening in Palestine to many people, so much so, that Tiktok issued a press release stating it’s not the algorithm, more users are just pro-Palestine.
Lights, camera, attack
Following the October 7 attack, CCN journalist, Sara Sidner, reported live that the Israeli government confirmed there were “beheaded babies” at the Kfar Aza kibbutz. Later, she issued an apology on X (formerly Twitter), saying that this couldn’t be confirmed and that she “needed to be more careful with [her] words”.
On October 17, comedian and television host Bassem Youssef was invited on Piers Morgan’s show, ‘Uncensored’, where he called the media out for the “beheaded babies” rumour, voiced what was really happening to Palestinians, and where his now Tiktok viral line “dealing with Israel is so difficult, it’s like being in a relationship with a narcissistic psychopath”, originated.
What was even more heartbreaking took place on November 15, when Israel Defence Forces’ (IDF) members decided they would enter Al Shifa Hospital, where injured Palestinians were being treated and sheltering, because there had allegedly been a Hamas command centre and weapons inside. The next couple of days, the IDF also said they had recovered hostage bodies inside and found a tunnel entrance.
A scene recording an IDF member standing by a calendar with the days of the week written in Arabic, claiming these were the names of “terrorist guardians”, was ridiculed and mocked across social media by users who understood the Arabic language and called him out for the misinformation.
A Tiktok video found that the tunnel entrance was actually located in Stockholm, Sweden, and others asked why the video wasn’t recorded in a single shot. A British Broadcast Centre (BBC) analysis found that the video was edited to include weapons found (by an MRI machine, lol). NBC News also questioned the video’s credibility and Al Jazeera said Israel was “fabricat[ing]” evidence.
Let’s also not forget about the Tiktok trend where Israelis exposed themselves mocking Palestinians because they have been cut off humanitarian basics like water, electricity and shelter by Israel. And more recently, the trend where Israeli Tiktok users edited Palestine’s slogan, “from the water to the sea, Palestine will be free”, to “I promise that you’ll never find another like me”.
I also want to point out the Israeli Tiktok users who have said they condemn Israel’s actions. Lauren, who identifies as an American Jew, records her thoughts every day, sometimes in tears, and talks about unlearning Zionism which is something she was brainwashed into.
There’s also the video of the IDF member who recorded himself throwing a grenade at a mosque in Palestine which was clearly not empty, and of another IDF member who dedicated an explosion on a Palestinian building to his daughter on her 2nd birthday.
This is all content that wouldn’t have been broadcasted on mainstream news, and have helped hold the Israeli propaganda to account.
Why does Israel have an X account?
It’s quite odd, but many have said it’s because Israel is wholly established on propaganda.
I probably don’t need to go into the dangers of propaganda, but I will remind everyone about American-Palestinian Wadea Al-Fayoume, who had recently turned six when he was stabbed 26 times and to death by his landlord on October 14.
Boxer Amir Khan’s wife, Faryal Makhdoom, who has one million Instagram followers, shared a screenshot of a threatening message she received from Israel. In the message, she was told she could face “severe consequences”.
And then screenshots surfaced on Twitter, where Israel began promoting influencer deals. The email was headed with the subject line ‘Stand for Peace’, inviting the receiver to share some hashtags in support of Israel along with some other celebrities.
And then the Israeli Foreign Ministry put out YouTube advertisements, and it was estimated by a Tiktoker that the Ministry had spent $71.1 million on it.
Targeting and murdering journalists
Palestinian journalist Motaz Azaiza, only 24 years old, was named GQ’s 2023 ‘Man Of The Year’, which described him as “Gaza’s gift to the world” and “his fearlessness remains unmatched”.
On October 25, Al Jazeera’s Gaza bureau chief, Wael Al-Dahouh’s family including his wife, children and grandson, were targeted and murdered by an Israeli strike. Moments after he found out, Al-Dahdouh said he was going to continue his work.
Another journalist used a sim card from Turkey. When Israel forced a blackout on Palestinians on October 27, which many described as “one of the darkest days in humanity”, videos of bombs in pure darkness surfaced social media.
And on November 21, 25-year-old Lebanese reporter, Farah Omar, along with her cameraman, Rabih Al-Me’mari, were targeted and killed by the IDF in South Lebanon, despite wearing press vests and riding in a car that also said ‘press’. The UNESCO Director-General publicly condemned the killing.
It’s no secret that the IDF is targeting regional journalists in attempt to silence them, and prevent anything besides Israeli propaganda to come out to the public.
Unfortunately, the concept of Freedom of Speech isn’t granted to Middle Easterners.
It’s far from over
Of course, we’re relieved to see a temporary ceasefire (although, it comes as no surprise that Israel has broken it).
Here’s a video of a Palestinian child recording himself smiling as he walks down the streets, happy that the sky is clear of bombs.
But the Palestinian genocide is far from over, and it dates all the way back to 1948. We have to continue exposing to the world the Israeli propaganda.
And for anyone celebrating Christmas next month, do remember that Jesus (PBUH) himself was a Palestinian.
