There are battles where the maximum that can be achieved is minimizing damage.
That was the purpose of the propaganda campaign, yesterday morning.
As soon as the news of the death of the reporter Sheerin Abu-Akla became known, the IDF Spokesman, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman, the Government Press Bureau, the Police Spokeswoman and the National Information System, who coordinates everyone, moved from an emergency situation. And sharp.
Sheerin Abu Akala, Photo: AFP
But unlike the Palestinians, who allowed themselves to make decisive assertions without attacking them factually, Israel is an orderly state.
To be caught lying later, would be worse than making claims that at that moment they would be caught well.
With all the complexity involved, this was the explanatory line chosen.
As a lesson from the failure of the Muhammad a-Dura affair, Israel did not fall into the trap of Arab propaganda yesterday, nor did it admit that our soldiers killed Abu Akala.
On the contrary, at 8 a.m., just an hour since her death, the IDF spokesman had already provided a version according to which the Palestinians themselves apparently killed her in the battle. By 9 a.m., his words had been translated into Arabic and English, and sent to international networks and foreign reporters. The Israeli claim.
Armed men in Jenin next to journalists, Photo: EPA
Speed of response was essential.
In the face of the paralysis of the national information system in Operation Wall Guard a year ago, the production of an agile Israeli version yesterday, expropriated Palestinian exclusivity and presented Israel's position.
Where is the sting anyway?
When the Palestinians passionately claim, "Israel murdered," while we say "probably not" - the Israeli side really has no chance of turning a table.
In the face of the Palestinian "sure", only an "maybe" Israeli was placed.
But as representatives of a responsible state, the Israeli speakers could not completely deny that we were in the act.
The truth precedes the interest.
Still, the effort of the Israeli speakers bore fruit: by 12 noon, most of the major media outlets in the world had already prominently brought Israel's position as well.
This was not the headline, but the imposition of Israeli doubt as to the circumstances of the incident at least found expression.
Thus in the more important, political arena, where facts and evidence are treated, Israel's hand was really on the top.
No serious country has come to Israel with complaints.
The important countries actually aligned with Jerusalem.
Britain, the European Union or the United Nations, on the whole, called for an investigation into the incident, and of course expressed regret over its death.
Even Egypt and Jordan did not adopt the Palestinian version.
Publicly or behind the scenes, no critical message has reached the State Department.
Most important of all is, as always, the United States, all the more so because Abu Akala also held an American passport.
"We are heartbroken and strongly condemn the killing of American journalist Sheerin Abu-Akla in the West Bank," Price wrote on Twitter.
"The investigation must be immediate and comprehensive, and those responsible must give the verdict. Her death is an insult to the freedom of the press wherever it is."
And this is exactly Israel's position - to investigate.
At the same time, the Palestinians' refusal to interrogate added points to Israel.
The bottom line is that we have lost in the global media, but only in it, and only temporarily.
In the political arena, a source in Jerusalem will sum up the matter in "no crisis."
that's what important.
And what will happen if the IDF investigation nevertheless reveals that a soldier accidentally shot the reporter? Well, it is likely that the same soldier will give the verdict and the international community will defend.
But even if we get to this moment, the main thing must not be forgotten: for two decades, Sheerin Abu-Aqla has been part of a propaganda channel that, under the guise of the press, spreads lies and incites terrorism and violence throughout the Middle East.
Of course she was not to be killed, but she was not a great righteousness.
The press is supposed to oppose violence.
Were we wrong?
Fixed!
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