Israel has escalated its conflict with Hezbollah, leading to the displacement of thousands of Lebanese people and over 600 deaths. In addition to air raids and the possibility of a land invasion, Israel is also using psychological tactics to manufacture consent for war. This includes a plan to ethnically cleanse North Gaza, known as “The Generals’ Plan,” which has support from various Israeli politicians.
The use of “Hasbara,” a strategy of explaining and persuading in support of Zionism, has become a central part of Israel’s efforts to influence public opinion. This includes media-trained government spokespeople, PR campaigns portraying the Israeli army as moral and cool, and messaging on social media. The online presence of Hasbara activists has faced challenges following the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
In response to the escalating conflict, various experts and commentators, including Habib Battah, Ori Goldberg, Zahera Harb, and Assal Rad, have voiced their concerns about the situation. Meanwhile, Nicholas Muirhead has explored the tactics of online Zionist influencers, such as Hen Mazzig, Saree Makdisi, Tamara Nassar, and Matt Lieb.
As tensions continue to rise in the region, it is essential for media and the public to remain critical and informed about the situation unfolding in Israel and Lebanon. With the use of propaganda and psychological tactics on the rise, it is crucial to analyze the information presented and consider the perspectives of various experts and commentators.
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