Magic cure no longer works
Israel shouldn’t rely on public relations campaigns to counter growing isolation
Part 3 of analysis
First, we need to recognize the fact that resorting to a public relations campaign (or “Hasbara” as we refer to it) isn’t enough. This magic cure, which our politicians like to pull out of their hats, went bankrupt a while ago. Those who attempt to isolate Israel as well as those who listen to them don’t do it because they are unfamiliar with the facts, but rather, because they choose to disregard them.
Israel has been able to cope with previous cases of isolation that are similar to the current situation, and there is no doubt that it will be able to overcome the current wave of isolation as well. After all, the Jewish state’s military power and international status are much firmer today than they were in the first decades of its existence.
However, we have to recognize the fact that should the trend of isolation continue, we shall have to pay a heavy price – first and foremost on the economic front.
Part 2
Ron Ben-Yishai
Our global status is gradually being eroded as international pressure grows
More than ever before, Israel’s growth and employment situation hinge on exporting goods to the global market. In case of isolation, we will find it difficult to engage in international trade, attract foreign investments, and acquire the credit we need.
The isolation will also undermine us strategically, as it would encourage Hezbollah, Hamas, Syria and Iran to provoke us. This is based on the assumption that the Israeli government will shy away from ordering the IDF to operate against them in full force, for fear of another Goldstone Report and possibly even UN Security Council sanctions.
Moreover, the isolation also serves to increase Israel’s depends on the American Administration to a dangerous degree; this dependence is too heavy as it is.
For all those reasons, we need to stop the deterioration. The question is how to do this effectively and without forgoing vital interests.
Part 1
Ron Ben-Yishai
For time being, Turkey is no longer a dependable strategic ally of Israel
Hence, instead of engaging in “Hasbara,” Israel needs to engage in a comprehensive “war of perception” that is coordinated on all fronts – the media, the legal arena, and the diplomatic stage. We should also enlist the help of the best Jewish minds in the world for this cause.
It would also be good to adopt several immediate steps. For example, willingness to show diplomatic flexibility and agree to freeze settlement construction for a year - something Obama is almost begging for - would boost his status in the region and indirectly boost our own status as well. We also need to quickly put an end the Gilad Shalit affair, so that we can open the crossings to Gaza in a controlled manner. The siege we imposed on Gaza has already caused us damage on the global front that is greater than any security damage to be caused by the release of several hundred murders to the West Bank.
We can also make an effort to reinforce our cooperation with Jordan, with Turkey, and with the Waqf as well in respect to the monitoring of archeological digs in Jerusalem and generally in respect to the al-Aqsa Mosque.
These steps may ease the diplomatic pressure and enable us to urge the international community to show a determined effort vis-à-vis the Iranian nuclear threat.
