Israel has been employing its wartime playbook to garner support for an all-out war on Lebanon, escalating tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border. Thousands of Lebanese citizens have been displaced, and more than 600 have been killed as Israeli bombardment intensifies. Alongside military actions, Israel is using psychological tactics to terrorize people and manufacture consent for war.
Among the contributors to this report are Habib Battah, Ori Goldberg, Zahera Harb, and Assal Rad. There is concern over a new plan to ethnically cleanse North Gaza, known as “The Generals’ Plan,” which has garnered support across the Israeli political spectrum.
The Israeli propaganda strategy, known as “Hasbara,” has been instrumental in shaping public perception. This includes media-trained government spokespeople delivering messages on TV, PR campaigns portraying the Israeli army as both moral and cool, and a strong presence on social media. The role of online Zionist influencers, known as hasbarists, has become more challenging in the face of the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
Notable figures in this arena include Hen Mazzig, Saree Makdisi, Tamara Nassar, and Matt Lieb. The report sheds light on the tactics employed by these online influencers and the impact of the genocide in Gaza on their work.
Overall, the article highlights the escalating tensions between Israel and Lebanon, the use of psychological tactics to promote war, and the role of Hasbara in shaping public opinion. It also delves into the challenges faced by online influencers in light of the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
