(Institute for Contemporary Affairs-Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Philippe Assouline - In the struggle for hearts and minds, feelings trump facts. Imagery and accusations that automatically trigger public compassion are incomparably more compelling than dry, defensive argumentation. We are "wired" by evolution to support those we perceive as innocent victims in distress, even when the facts do not mandate such support. The portrayal of Palestinians as innocent victims in distress has been the key to popular success of Palestinian propaganda. Through the mass-production of heartrending imagery centered on children, staged "news," manipulative rhetoric, and rigid censorship, Palestinian propaganda has successfully used the media to recast Palestinians as entirely blameless victims. Israel must fight exploitation of public compassion by Palestinian propaganda with a touching but morally correct narrative of its own.
2013-09-10 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive