The Pallywood Propaganda Machine

The Pallywood Propaganda Machine

Many people wonder why the Pallywood propaganda machine is so successful while the Israeli side of the story is often ignored, dismissed, or simply not believed.

The answer is uncomfortable.

In today’s world, truth is no longer enough.

We live in a digital era where almost anyone can create convincing content within minutes. Talent is optional. Education is optional. Facts are often optional. The only real requirement is being AI literate and understanding how social media works.

Even I can do it. My only real artistic talent is writing, yet within minutes I can create memes, graphics, and content that look professional and persuasive. Millions of others can do exactly the same.

The problem is that a lie wrapped in emotion often travels much faster than a fact wrapped in evidence.

For years Israel has operated under the assumption that truth would eventually prevail. Unfortunately, that is no longer how the modern information battlefield works.

The first lesson is simple.

Create sympathy.

Sympathy is not created through military victories or government statements. Sympathy is created on a human level. It is created through friendship, appreciation, transparency, and respect.

Even the most loyal supporters eventually become frustrated when they are ignored. Personally, I have written dozens of letters to Israel over the years. Most disappeared into a bureaucratic black hole. Friends who tried to help or advocate have often encountered the same indifference.

That is a mistake.

Friends are one of Israel’s most valuable assets. They are the people willing to challenge misinformation, correct false narratives, and defend facts when nobody else will. Those friendships must be nurtured.

And not all those friends should be Jewish.

When a Christian, atheist, Hindu, Muslim, or any other non Jewish person speaks up for Israel, people listen differently. They have no ethnic or religious connection that critics can immediately dismiss. Their support often carries more credibility precisely because they have nothing personal to gain.

The second lesson is transparency.

One principle I learned years ago at work has always stayed with me.

Say what you do and do what you say.

Too often Israel reacts instead of communicating proactively. Take incidents such as attempts to break the Gaza maritime blockade.

Imagine if Israel publicly stated beforehand:

The blockade is legal. Attempts to violate it will result in interception. Vessels approaching the blockade will be warned. Continued violations may lead to confiscation.

Clear. Transparent. Predictable.

The world may not like the message, but it would understand the rules. Instead, silence often creates a vacuum that anti Israel activists quickly fill with their own narrative.

Another mistake is relying too heavily on religious arguments.

Whether people believe biblical promises or not is irrelevant in a public debate. Religious claims cannot be independently verified and often alienate audiences who do not share the same beliefs.

If you want to demonstrate Jewish indigeneity to the land, use archaeology. Use ancient coins. Use inscriptions. Use historical documents. Use the Dead Sea Scrolls. Use evidence that can be examined and verified.

Facts persuade far more people than faith ever will.

Another major problem is online engagement.

Many Israelis love debate. That is understandable. But endless arguments with committed Israel haters are usually a waste of time.

You are not posting for the people who already hate Israel.

You are posting for the silent observer who has not yet formed an opinion.

Recently, someone genuinely asked me why I support the IDF. I answered respectfully and provided facts, context, and evidence. He appreciated the explanation and gained a better understanding.

That conversation was worth having.

Arguing beneath hostile social media posts rarely is.

Then there is the influencer problem.

Not every influencer is helping the cause.

One example has stayed with me. An influencer traveled to Auschwitz with a group and posted smiling selfies at the airport, declaring they were about to make history.

Make history?

No.

History was already made there.

Over the bodies of six million murdered Jews.

There are moments that require humility, reflection, and empathy. Auschwitz is one of them.

Sometimes it feels as though certain influencers are promoting themselves more than they are promoting Israel.

That damages credibility.

Since 2015 I have monitored pro-Palestinian online spaces through an alternative account. What I have witnessed is remarkable.

Every accusation made against Israel is mirrored back.

The documented rapes, kidnappings, murders, and atrocities of October 7 are often repeated almost word for word against Israelis. Images are shared without context. Quotes of questionable authenticity circulate endlessly. Claims are repeated until they become accepted as truth.

If someone sees those images every day and lacks historical knowledge, they will eventually believe them.

That is how propaganda works.

It does not need to be true.

It only needs to be repeated.

The reality is that pro-Palestinian activists understand emotion exceptionally well. They understand symbolism. They understand the power of images involving children and suffering.

Israel often responds with facts alone.

Facts matter. But facts without effective communication are frequently drowned out by emotion.

What should Israel do?

Be radically transparent.

Record investigations.

Publish evidence whenever legally possible.

Document accusations and responses.

Ensure legal processes are visible and fair.

If Israelis commit crimes, prosecute them.

If accusations are false, prove they are false.

If prisoners claim mistreatment, document procedures and preserve evidence.

Sunlight remains the best defense against misinformation.

Most importantly, show the real Israel.

Show the scientists, doctors, farmers, entrepreneurs, students, artists, and ordinary families.

Show a country that builds rather than destroys.

Show innovation instead of slogans.

Show facts instead of assumptions.

The information war is not won by shouting louder.

It is won through credibility.

The Pallywood propaganda machine understands the power of narrative. Israel must understand that truth alone is no longer enough. Truth must be presented clearly, consistently, transparently, and professionally.

Because in the digital age, if you do not tell your story, someone else will tell it for you.