The term "Hasbara," a Hebrew word for "explanation," might sound innocuous enough. However, as this blog post will explain, it refers to a highly organised and strategic communications effort by the Israeli government and its supporters. This campaign aims to shape public opinion and control narratives surrounding Israeli actions and policies, and it’s having a significant impact right here in Australia [1-3]. While "Hasbara" might be intended to "tell Israel’s side of the story," critics argue that it often crosses the line into propaganda, presenting a biased and one-sided version of events, that ignores legitimate criticisms.
How Does Hasbara Operate?
Hasbara employs a range of sophisticated tactics, including:
- Mass Media and Social Media Campaigns: These include paid social media posts and carefully crafted messages designed to sway public opinion.
- Targeting Politicians and Diplomats: Hasbara actively seeks to influence those in power.
- Educational and Cultural Programs: These initiatives aim to foster goodwill towards Israel.
- Strategic Use of Language: This is intended to frame discussions in a way that favours the Israeli narrative.
- Online Operations: Hasbara also involves online "mobs" that attack critics, spread disinformation, and ruin people's reputations.
The "Anti-Semitism Crisis" and its Political Use
One of the most concerning aspects of Hasbara's influence in Australia is the alleged exaggeration of the "anti-Semitism crisis" for political gain.
According to the "West Report," this is used as a tool to silence dissent, with the threat of being labelled anti-Semitic used as a weapon to destroy careers and reputations. Despite claims of an anti-Semitism crisis, the sources point out that there have been very few reports of physical injuries from such attacks.
This narrative, the sources suggest, is used by pro-Israel lobby groups to push their political agenda. The "West Report" argues that these groups are "blowing out of all proportion this anti-Semitism crisis for their own political ends for the benefit in fact of a foreign Nation". This raises serious questions about foreign interference in Australian domestic politics and the weaponisation of accusations of anti-Semitism to shut down any criticism of the state of Israel.
Hasbara's Impact on Australian Politics and Society
The sources suggest that Hasbara is having a detrimental effect on Australian politics and social cohesion. Some of the key impacts include:
- Foreign Interference: Pro-Israel lobby groups, some of which are publicly funded charities, are accused of acting as agents of foreign interference in Australia. These groups are also accused of attacking Australian political parties for not supporting Israel enough.
- Demonization Tactics: Hasbara tactics include demonizing Muslims, Arabs, and particularly Palestinians, as well as anyone who supports peace or criticizes the Israeli government.
- Media Influence: The mainstream media is accused of being "cowed" into accepting the hasbara narrative or running with it for its own political agendas, thereby failing to investigate the issue effectively.
- Division of the Jewish Community: Many Jewish Australians oppose the actions of Zionist groups and their hasbara tactics, but their voices are often drowned out by the "cacophony of whining victimhood" coming from these organisations].
- Lobbying and Political Activity: Some charities are accused of engaging in political lobbying, which is against the rules of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. The Australian Jewish Association (AJA), for example, is identified as a charity that openly attacks political parties, and seems closely linked to the LNP. David Adler (who has been President), for example:
- Leadership: President Dr. David Adler, a former AMA deputy medical secretary, promotes "Torah values" and strong support for Israel. The AJA positions itself as a counter to mainstream Jewish organizations it views as overly progressive.
- Activities:
- Regularly critiques government responses to antisemitism, blaming the Labor administration for rising violence.
- Engages with conservative media (e.g., Sky News Australia) and far-right figures like Pauline Hanson.
- Controversies:
- Labeled "extremist" by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) and Australia Israel Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) for its hardline stances.
- Accused of inflaming tensions by describing pro-Palestine university encampments as "Nazi encampments".
Connections and Tensions
While no direct financial links between the AJA and Israeli entities are documented, ideological alignment is evident:- The AJA advocates for policies mirroring Israeli government priorities, including opposition to UN motions critical of Israel.
- AIJAC and Hasbara-linked groups focus on elite political lobbying, whereas the AJA employs confrontational media tactics.
- Internal Jewish community divisions persist, with mainstream groups like ECAJ distancing themselves from the AJA's methods.
- Social Media Operations: Israeli online operations are accused of using social media to bully, harass, spread disinformation, and ruin people’s reputations.
- Suppression of Dissent: Critics of Israel are often labelled as anti-Semitic or terrorist supporters, and the "threat of being branded anti-semitic" is used to silence dissent and destroy reputations.
- The Conflict as a Political Contest: Hasbara has been framing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a political issue, with the left seen as pro-Palestinian and the right as pro-Israel. This is having an impact on Australian elections and public debate].
- Undermining Social Cohesion: Hasbara is contributing to "upheaval in Australian politics" and is a "massive problem for Australian domestic politics and social cohesion".
The Need for Action
The sources call for a number of actions to combat the negative effects of hasbara:
- Deregistration of Charities: There are calls for the Australian government to deregister pro-Israel lobby groups that operate as charities due to their involvement in political lobbying, and as agents of foreign interference.
- Media Scrutiny: There is a need for greater media scrutiny of hasbara tactics and the misinformation they spread.
- Dialogue: The sources suggest facilitating dialogue between Jewish and Muslim leaders to create greater consensus and unity.
- Recognition of Complexity: The sources note that the Israel-Palestine conflict is a complex issue, not a partisan political issue that divides the left and the right.
Conclusion
Hasbara represents a sophisticated and sometimes aggressive campaign to influence public opinion in Australia. It uses tactics such as demonization, exaggeration, and disinformation to achieve its goals. The sources raise concerns about its impact on social cohesion and domestic politics, and warn that these actions are contributing to the rise of anti-semitism by exaggerating the crisis and silencing dissent. It is clear that Hasbara is not merely about "explaining" but is, in fact, a complex and controversial form of foreign interference that is actively undermining Australian social cohesion and democratic processes.
The need for vigilance and critical analysis of Hasbara and its effect on Australian politics has never been more important.
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Citations:
[1] https://www.newarab.com/news/understanding-hasbara-israels-propaganda-machine
[2] https://tampere2020.iamcr.org/iamcr.org/node/13130.html
[3] https://www.dailysabah.com/op-ed/2018/05/09/israel-the-state-of-hasbara
[4] https://mepc.org/speeches/hasbara-and-control-narrative-element-strategy/
[5] https://www.restlessbeings.org/articles/what-is-hasbara
[6] https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/the-art-of-deception-how-israel-uses-hasbara-to-whitewash-its-crimes-12766404
[7] https://vashtimedia.com/zionism-israel-palestine-gaza-hasbara-america-propaganda/
[8] https://www.jewishvoiceforlabour.org.uk/article/hasbara-a-long-running-strategy/
[9] https://jcpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Contemporary-Origins-of-Hasbara.pdf
[10] https://mondediplo.com/2024/05/03hasbara
[11] https://youtu.be/6YKLjsICAh4?list=TLGGq7rjXpmKWw0zMTAxMjAyNQ
[12] https://michaelwest.com.au/inside-the-arc-of-israel-influence-in-the-queensland-election/
[13] https://www.australianjewishnews.com/adler-doesnt-represent-anybody/
[14]https://theconversation.com/israel-piles-on-criticism-of-australia-over-antisemitism-while-answers-to-key-questions-elude-authorities-248006
[15]https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/zionist-lobby-shaking-up-politics-in-australia-and-uk,18764
[16]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Jewish_Association
[17]https://thejewishindependent.com.au/jewish-alt-right-close-personal-new-australian-conservative-jewish-movement
[18]https://thejewishindependent.com.au/michael-gawenda-truths-and-myths-about-australias-israel-lobby
