The National Public Diplomacy Directorate, which was supposed to serve as Israel\u2019s spearhead in the battle for global public opinion, operated without a permanent director, a unified strategy, and without real authority. Under such conditions, victory is impossible, even when justice is on your side.<\/p>\n
The reality following Oct. 7 illustrated this sharply and painfully. On social media, staged or partial videos, images without context, and at times entirely false information spread rapidly and gained millions of views within hours.<\/p>\n
![\"Prime](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/683657.jpeg\"\/)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds a rare press conference in Jerusalem on September 16, 2025. (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)<\/p>\n
Instead of responding quickly and decisively, Israel found itself reacting too late and refuting claims only after the damage had already been done. Serious accusations regarding \u201cdeliberate harm to civilians\u201d circulated before the facts had been verified, and even after some of the claims were disproven, the damage to public perception had already occurred.<\/p>\n
Serious failures were also evident in international television coverage. Interviews with Israeli spokespersons often turned into media traps, with hostile interviewers interrupting guests, steering the conversation, and presenting questions framed around assumptions of guilt.<\/p>\n
At the same time, commentators and reporters in various countries at times crossed the line between legitimate criticism and rhetoric that was emotionally charged and at times even antisemitic. Instead of analyzing policy, some coverage relied on sweeping language, demonization of Israel, and, at times, even questioning its right to exist.<\/p>\n
As a result, criticism of military actions, which is legitimate in any democracy, sometimes evolved into a broader campaign of delegitimization. The use of historically loaded expressions, inaccurate and at times dangerous comparisons, and the portrayal of Israel as the sole source of violence strengthened hostile narratives and deepened Israel\u2019s international isolation.<\/p>\n
The problem lies not only in the content being presented, but in the structure itself. It is no secret that Israel\u2019s public diplomacy system is fragmented among government ministries, security bodies, and outside organizations. Each operates according to its own considerations, lacking sufficient coordination and a unified messaging line.<\/p>\n
A fragmented system without leadership<\/p>\n
When there is no single guiding authority, the message becomes scattered and at times even contradictory. The result is confusion, lack of credibility, and diminished influence.<\/p>\n