MIDDLE EAST
14 HOURS AGO
How Israeli social media propaganda against Gaza is backfiring
Citizen journalists and netizens are actively debunking the deluge of misinformation propagated by Israeli social media, sparking a groundswell of opposition.
Fake accounts regularly pose as credible news outlets, spreading distorted truths to manipulate global opinions
OTHERS
Fake accounts regularly pose as credible news outlets, spreading distorted truths to manipulate global opinions
In the heart of the conflict-ridden Middle East, where each missile launched seemed to amplify the anguish of innocent lives, another battlefield is silently raging—a digital war fought through screens and keyboards.
Cognisant of the power of public opinion, Israeli social media trolls are spinning a web of propaganda, attempting to justify the Israeli military’s actions in besieged Gaza.
Fake accounts, masquerading as reputable news sources, are regularly disseminating distorted truths to sway international sentiment.
A groundswell of opposition
From baseless claims of Hamas using civilians as human shields to exaggerated claims of widespread support for Israeli actions in America, the main aim appears to deflect attention from the devastating civilian casualties mounting in Gaza.
However, a groundswell of opposition has arisen, with citizen journalists and netizens actively debunking the deluge of misinformation propagated by Israeli social media.
From direct refutations to the utilisation of Twitter’s Community Notes function, users are combating false narratives. Contributors are leaving notes on numerous propaganda posts, providing crucial context to counter potentially misleading statements.
And then there are those stubborn facts…. 👇 pic.twitter.com/GHiVFG3GEf
— Ahmed Bouzid (@didou) January 27, 2024
A campaign of deception
In the digital realm, truth has a way of unraveling the most intricate of lies. The façade of the propaganda machinery is now faced with vigilant users, who are scrutinising the sources and veracity of the content flooding the social media feeds.
Fact-checkers and activists are tirelessly working to refute misinformation, shedding light on the reality obscured by the smokescreen of deceit.
Meanwhile, X (formerly known as Twitter) has also tackled the surge of fake accounts disseminating propaganda on Gaza. Some accounts masquerading as credible news sources have been suspended in recent weeks, and their digital reach halted.
While the move dealt a blow to the social media propaganda machine, it also exposed the orchestrated campaign of deception to a global audience.
Israeli soldiers from the 55 Paratroopers Brigade have recently posted videos on their unofficial community page, in which one scene reveals the deliberate targeting of an unarmed Palestinian and the destruction of entire neighborhood blocks in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/xgt4dFKife
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) February 8, 2024
Yet, the repercussions extended beyond the virtual realm. As the truth emerged, public opinion has begun to sway against the biased narrative.
Outrage over the civilian casualties in Gaza has intensified over the months, mounting pressure on international leaders to condemn the disproportionate use of force.
In a twist of fate, the very propaganda meant to sway hearts and minds ended up backfiring, tarnishing Israel’s reputation on the global stage.
Community Notes falsely claims there’s “conclusive evidence” showing Palestinians bombed their own hospital. It cites as evidence Hananya Naftali’s retraction, and an evidence-free claim from the Pentagon – which gave Israel the bomb it dropped on the hospital.
Israel’s… https://t.co/VCYt9n0oo5 pic.twitter.com/4owDWJU03t
— Dan Cohen (@dancohen3000) October 19, 2023
As the dust settled, one truth emerged amidst the chaos: in the age of information, attempts to manipulate public perception can only hold sway for so long before the light of truth pierces through the darkness of deception.
SOURCE: TRT WORLD
