Israel’s PR offensive gets basic facts wrong


by Sunny Hundal    
12:30 pm - June 3rd 2010

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A short package by Al-Jazeera looks at Israel’s attempts at public relations regarding the Gaza blockade.

But as the video shows, Israeli officials try and dodge questions on how many people within the Gaza strip are below the poverty line or under-nourished.

They also produce ‘facts sheets’ on how much aid is delivered into Gaza. But basic calculations show that amounts to 4kgs of food per person per week.

Israel’s PR team also circulates a video of Mahmoud Abbas dining at a Gaza restaurant to illustrate that food is plentiful. Except that Abbas has not been in Gaza since the blockade began three years ago.

[via War in Context and @earwicga]

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About the author
Sunny Hundal is editor of LC. Also: on Twitter, at Pickled Politics and Guardian CIF.
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Reader comments


1. Oxford Kevin

Not just basic facts. But metadata from the photos of weapons shows pictures taken years ago. IDF PR department must have library of prepared photos ready for sending out in press release to friendly media like bbc.

http://www.politicaltheatrics.net/2010/06/the-gaza-flotilla-how-israel’s-ministry-of-foreign-affairs-fakes-photos-of-seized-weapons/

2. Watchman

Oxford Kevin,

I think every PR department in the world has pre-prepared pictures. Such is the nature of the work.

However, not sure standard PR flanneling is really what Israel needs to do here…

3. Mona Street

@Oxford Kevin…
Unfortunately the camera that was used for a lot of those photos taken wasn’t released until after the metadata says that the shots were originally taken. Manual says default setting is 2005. Unfortunately NOT the smoking gun!
Regards/

4. DisgustedOfTunbridgeWells

Unfortunately NOT the smoking gun!

I’ll assume that’s a hastily composed, unfortunately callous turn of phrase on your part.

5. Mona Street

@DoTW
OOPS! Apologies!


Reactions: Twitter, blogs
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  2. Jamie Potter

    Israeli PR video of Abbas eating in #Gaza restaurant 'proves' no food shortages. He hasn't visited since pre-blockade! http://bit.ly/aseMaP

  3. Sophie

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  4. Juke de Haan

    Israel’s PR team circulates video of Mahmoud Abbas dining at a Gaza restaurant. He has not been in Gaza for three years http://bit.ly/aseMaP

  5. B Latif

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  6. Akeela

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  7. Clare Huggett

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  9. EG Chew

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  12. Liberal Conspiracy

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  13. Cornelius Griffiths

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  14. The Fact Compiler

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  15. Chris D'Souza

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  18. emkwan

    RT @jamiepotter: Israeli PR video of Abbas eating in #Gaza restaurant 'proves' no food shortages. He hasn't visited since pre-blockade! http://bit.ly/aseMaP

  19. emkwan

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