The incomplete intelligence on Hamas' intentions prevented the Southern Command from preparing in advance for the murderous attack on 7 October. The lack of information and the failure to build the necessary legitimacy will prevent the full realization of the attack plans, and will stop the IDF forces before the victory we all hope for.
An investigation into the intelligence failure will be available at the end of the war, and the correction will be carried out, but the failure to propagandize information must be corrected today. Without good information, legitimacy will decline, criticism will increase, and the army's freedom of action will be reduced – until the forces are stopped and the war ends with a frustrating draw.
The state also abandoned public relations to its citizens. We all share videos, photos and stories – but with the exception of a few privileged individuals who are followed by international influencers, most of us follow on social media are family and friends. Even the hundreds of amazing private information initiatives – the war rooms, the voluntary videos, and the other actions in which citizens fill the vacuum – cannot win the information war in the global arena. With Hasamba, you don't win an international battle.
IDF: All Tools
Therefore, Israel must establish the second "IDF": the "Hasbara Defense Forces" – a body that will turn amateur hasbara into a sharp and determined professional arm that will spread the atrocities until the citizens of the free world stand by us. In order to convince the world of our righteousness, this army will employ the best minds and capabilities that exist here. The second IDF will have a lot of work to do, and in five arenas:
Advertising campaigns: Joining forces and resources of advertising agencies and advertisers in Israel will give rise to campaigns that, with state funding, can "wash over" the US and Europe. Israel will acquire most of the media space in the world, and every person will meet the campaigns in every media outlet and on every street corner.
Media: Media consulting and spokesperson agencies can also occupy the world's news pages with proactive articles – and unfortunately, we have an unimaginable number of interviewees who will share their personal horrors. Such articles have enormous propaganda potential abroad.
Influence and cyber tools: The Start-Up Nation has produced quite a few technological tools for changing consciousness, and the newest ones present capabilities that until recently were perceived as imaginary. Their impact on world public opinion will be dramatic.
Influencers and opinion makers: Using Israeli influencers, or our supporters from the worlds of entertainment, sports, science and business around the world, will help make our messages accessible and mediate to target audiences in places where they are less likely to meet us.
Media events: The huge march in support of Israel by Jewish organizations in New York is an example of the many events that can be produced around the world. Is the Premier League dominated by Arab money? There is no reason why the streets leading to the stadiums there should not be filled with Israelis shouting our truth.
Unlike past events in Israel that were difficult to explain in the world, the horrific starting point must be exploited for the benefit of the Israeli narrative as an engine for creating legitimacy.
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