🚨 Israel's existence has always relied on Hasbara — aka state propaganda. But it seems like the usual tricks aren’t working anymore. So now, they’re switching tactics.
Here’s everything you need to know to arm yourself against the what Israel is calling "Hasbara 2.0."
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Here’s everything you need to know to arm yourself against the what Israel is calling "Hasbara 2.0."
🧵1/
2/ Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel just approved a 500 million shekel ($135M) budget for “public diplomacy.”
That’s 20x the pre-Gaza war budget. 🤨
That’s 20x the pre-Gaza war budget. 🤨
3/ The first pillar of the new strategy — decentralization.
Instead of Israeli officials delivering the talking points, the government will funnel money to “independent” organizations, influencers, and activists to spread the message for them.
Instead of Israeli officials delivering the talking points, the government will funnel money to “independent” organizations, influencers, and activists to spread the message for them.
4/ Second pillar — aggression, not persuasion.
No more trying to “win hearts and minds” with apologetics. The new approach — just hammering home pro-Israel messaging with conviction.
Think less “Israel regrets civilian casualties” and more “That’s war — deal with it."
No more trying to “win hearts and minds” with apologetics. The new approach — just hammering home pro-Israel messaging with conviction.
Think less “Israel regrets civilian casualties” and more “That’s war — deal with it."
5/ Third pillar — hide the money.
Israel will now fund pro-Israel PR groups in the U.S. & Europe through the use of "Public Benefit Corporations" (PBCs).
“In the end, you see a bank transfer from a PBC and not a bank transfer from the Israeli government. That’s the idea.”
Israel will now fund pro-Israel PR groups in the U.S. & Europe through the use of "Public Benefit Corporations" (PBCs).
“In the end, you see a bank transfer from a PBC and not a bank transfer from the Israeli government. That’s the idea.”
6/ Pillar four — highlight the Jewish religion.
Israel plans to double down on bringing religion into its propaganda playbook by tying Judaism more directly to Zionism in its global messaging.
The goal: make criticizing Israel feel like a rejection of Jewish identity itself.
Israel plans to double down on bringing religion into its propaganda playbook by tying Judaism more directly to Zionism in its global messaging.
The goal: make criticizing Israel feel like a rejection of Jewish identity itself.
7/ Fifth pillar — missions, missions, missions.
Pro-Israel activists say no tactic is more effective than bringing influencers and leaders to experience Israel firsthand to create emotional connections and turn visitors into lifelong advocates.
More trips = better Hasbara.
Pro-Israel activists say no tactic is more effective than bringing influencers and leaders to experience Israel firsthand to create emotional connections and turn visitors into lifelong advocates.
More trips = better Hasbara.
8/ Ultimately, the goal of "Hasbara 2.0" is to shift the perception of Israel’s policies without audiences realizing they’re being influenced by state-funded propaganda.
If you're not paying attention, you will be manipulated.
Stay sharp. Stay skeptical. 🧠
If you're not paying attention, you will be manipulated.
Stay sharp. Stay skeptical. 🧠
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