Rice. 'Americans have inadequate knowledge'
צילום: איי פי
U.S. adopts Israeli PR tactics
America to make use of Israel's experience in dealing with Arab media in bid to boost image
The Israeli way: The American State Department has decided to learn from Israeli public relations experience and is setting up an Arab media department based on the model introduced by the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, Israel's leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported Sunday.
The Foreign Ministry has been very active in recent years in its handling of the Arab media and has set up a special department dedicated to addressing Arab reporters. Ministry officials appear on Arab television networks on a daily basis, while an Arabic-language website set up by the Ministry is enjoying growing popularity in the Arab world.
Now, America has decided to implement Israel's lessons as well. In the framework of efforts to boost America's image across the world, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice recently said U.S. diplomats must leave their embassies and offices and talk with people as well, not only with governments.
Public diplomacy is very important in order to maintain sympathy for the U.S. and safeguard its image, Rice said, adding Americans have inadequate knowledge when it comes to understanding other cultures.
Foreign Ministry Deputy Director Gideon Meir responded to the report: "As someone who deals with public diplomacy for six years now, I was glad to hear the world is showing great interest in the way Israel conducts its public relations efforts."
