Can this article be anymore ironic? A communications professor argues that for Israel to win over international public opinion, they must use emissaries who're fluent in English, and, in her words: "express themselves [...] dignifiedly." Unfortunately for Mz. Appelbaum, "dignifiedly" is not a real word!

It has nothing to do with what language you speak. The world starts to notice you arrogance & you racism in the way you treat the palestenians who live amongst you. The time is changing quickly. The news can be reached everywhere on the globe within very short time. There is less room for propaganda & false informations as used to be ten years ago. The people around the globe started to see clearer picture. Who is right & who is wrong. You can deceive the people one time, few times but not everytime. Shalome.

This article is such dribble it is almost funny. Besides the fact that the pro-Israel camp is in fact much better equipped and connected in the Western propoganda war than any Palestine advocate, Esti Appelbaum-Polani may be closer to the truth if he considered how difficult it is for a ruthless occupier to get good press no matter how well-versed in English they are. Rafat

The best spokesperson Israel ever had was Abba Eban z''l. There are plenty of proper spokespeople available - for North America may I suggest - Moshe Arens, Mark Regev, Bibi Netanyahu, Miri Eisen. For North America part of the problem is the left wing. In Canada for example CBC like to pretend they are European and do their best to emulate BBC and we all know how BBC look at the world.

Please Israel. Get an English-language 24 hour satellite News channel set up for European (British) and North American audiences to match that of Al Jazeera-English and PressTV. This is desperately needed. I for one will watch it religiously.

Many Ministers speak little or no English- and if they do its with a guttral sound. ask for help and you will get it. The standard of English in Israel is definately wanting.

It's tempting to think of Canada and the U.S. as identical PR audiences. If you think that's true, ask a Canadian. I lived in Toronto for a couple of years. There are significant differences. And that is absolutely nothing compared to the differences between Americans and the British, who are about as far apart as two allies speaking the same language can be. To think that PR can be uniform for each of these audiences is a certain recipe for failure. Israel's olim are the professionals in relating to their home countries. Other Israelis are absolute blundering, self-destructive impediments. Until Israel puts these olim in these responsible positions with the appropriate recognition and support, the picture won't change. The pathetic defeatism that claims everybody hates Jews no matter what is just pathetic self-hating whiners who have no contact with the real world. One more thing. If you think the Jews in these countries understand those countries the same, or as well, as the gentiles then you're extraordinarily delusional. I grew up gentile. Gentile views of America are enormously different than Jewish views of America. Correspondingly, relating to gentile--particularly Christian--Americans, which is what Israel really needs to do, cannot be done even by American born-Jews. The best resource Israel has to relate to these countries are the many converts from each of those countries. But converts are to busy dealing with rescinded conversions (Barukh ha-Sheim, not ours) and defending ourselves from assorted homosexual "Jews," atheist Edomite "Jews," Christian born-Jews, AND Ultra-Orthodox radicals. Keep shooting the messenger or standing idly by the blood of your brothers. Paqid Yirmeyahu Paqid 16, The Netzarim, Ra'anana, Israel Israeli Orthodox Jew (Teimani Baladi Dardai) Advancing Logic as Halakhic Authority Welcoming Jews & non-Jews

This whole PR-problem is not a question of english speaking professionals. The only question is: Is it possible in the long run to sell the Israeli military engagement against the inhabitants of Gaza as a "good product"? I don't think so: You can't turn rubbish into gold only by sophisticated propaganda. What about a brand new Israeli product called PEACE? I think that would work. Manouf

Livni did a great job on that interview, the interviewer couldn't have his way with her. Israelis should listen to other Europeans speaking english. I have never been bothered by the way Livni speaks English and I even like it. Who said that everyone shoudl speak perfect english. Did Ariel Sharon? She's A -okay and manages to get the message through verbally and non-verbally. Bibi's not as good as people make him out to be, he's too peacockish and makes annoying head movements.

Still can't quite figure out what your message is...

Our PR prowess has usually been lacking but during this war against Hamas our PR has been excellent. Our Army spokes people have all be fluent in English and on top of that we have had the benefit of Bibi Netanyahu's interviews on many, many foreign TV radio and/or TV stations. Bibi is a master at putting Israel's case to the world. Perhaps if we emulate the Palestinians and start showing our injured and dead children we might gain more sympathy for the rest of the world but our moral standards preclude us from doing this

Promotion in Israel to jobs in PR or jobs related to representing the country is heavily based on affiliation to the Clique. Israel has never sought professionals, but rather obsequious people the likes of Zipi or Miri or Silvi. If you know the right people, you get the job. Whether you are qualified for it or not is of no importance here.

This article hits the nail on it's head! I too, thinks that our "leaders and representatives" should improve their speaking abilities; and by that I mean, their accent as well! In particular since English occupies in center stage in the media and diplomatic arena! Like our foreign minister for example. Her level of English, is a kin to that of a seven grader rather then a seasoned diplomat! It's embarrassing to hear her speak up. Doesn't Israels Foreign Ministry has a language school similar to that of the US State department? If so, they are not doing a good job; if the don't have one - then it's time to get movingly. Bibi alone - can not and should not be our only salvation; nor our wonderful ex south African Regeve.

You are a typical Israeli, in spite of your so called "intelligently written comment".

You certainly need to learn English. I didn't understand anything you wrote

About excellent English?......just joking my friend.

Ultimately it is what is said rather than how it is said.The root cause of the conflict has not been addressed by the government. Consequently it led to a collective Arab propaganda of Palestinian false identity and has spread globally. The message is like music to the ears, especially in Europe. The secular can regain the land but it is the Jewish ideology that can retain it. Let them speak.

Best hasbara-PR for the Israeli government would be for them not to be understood at all, they spout unbelievably crass and often palpably false propaganda points. Blair / Bush are both native English speakers (well, in Bush's case, sort of), it does not stop the world to cringe and want to throw shoes or worse at the television set. And what's wrong with an interpreter doing a voice over, like it is done here for most visiting foreign dignitaries ? When those visitors speak directly in Americanese rather than in their own language, the gravest doubts can be raised about who is supporting them and for what ends.

I AM GREEK, FOLLOWING THE NEWS REGARDING ISRAELI ATTACK AT GAZA. IT' S REALLY SO PATHETIC TO SEE THAT THE 90% OR MORE OF THE PEOPLE SPEAKING ON THE BEHALF OF ISRAEL ARE LUCKING NOT ONLY APPROPRIATE PROPAGANDA, P.R. AND PRESENTATION TECHNIQUES BUT THE USE OF GOOD ENGLISH. THE RESULT AT LEAST IN GREECE IS TOTAL CATASTROPHY FOR ISRAEL' S OPINION. THE ONLY ONE I REALLY ADMIRE FOR THIS PURPOSE IS MK BENJAMIN NETANIAHU. REGARDS, APOSTOLOS

English & all staff, why Israel NOT complite mission already in 7 day's...Personaly-in whole World we have only TWO kind of people - one, doing something & explain why & what for they do this, and second whos explain, why they don't wanna, & don't be do something they NEED to do...Realy I have some expiriens with Israeli, & personaly I don't care Lev ant, Marocc or other - Human being is human being, BUT always when situation take action-they prefer talking & explain, so if they desided come to the Holocost-2...So I'm not a Don Qihot but I dont wanna this...

Its Over.

I really must differ with this point of view. The Israelis who I hear speak perfect English. The problem is all of the left wing Israelis who condemn Israel and are excellent at presenting the Arab (Hamas right now) point of view. I am not a big fan of Bibi's but he is great on American TV.

The real effort is to give palestinians their freedom and stop aggession not to know how speak.

A few years ago the bad english speakers representing Israel got away with it more as news websites were mostly or all text reports. Now they ALL offer video news, so the effect of bad english is even worse. Now we have to cringe watching them on the Net AND on TV.

I am a descendan of Jews who happens to live in a country where Lebanese and Palestinian descendants are the wealthiest and most influent people. In our western world, Palestinians are depicted as poor, helpless people who are undrer attack by a "guest" state in the land belonging to Palestine. For us, who know the truth of arab war against Israel, it is frustrating not to have Israeli presence, not only in the media, bu alos diplomatically in our countries. Israel should take the leading role it has been granted by God and its people's hard work.

Before you criticise others.The palestinians are never aggressive I suppose...

Podhortz & The New Republic, Marty Peretz & The Commentary, the Neocons (Richard Pearle @ AEI, William Kristol @NY times, Paul Wolfowitz @ world Bank, Daniel Pipes, David Horowitz, Prof Emerit @ Princeton Bernard Lewis, William safier, Martin Indyk & Dennis Ross @ Obama's admin, Alan Dershowitz with backing of Conrad Black, , Jack Abramoff, Bernie Madoff, Lev Leviev not to mention the lunies @ Fox News or Pastor Hagee's follower, or Pat Robertson & 700 club & the Evangelicals. And we won't mention that Wolf Blitzer of CNN's former employer was AIPAC or where Larry king's heart really is. You can't fool all the people, all the time.

you are so wrong. on american TV livni and regev are eloquaent and articulate and make the case for israel perfectlty