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Source: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3315457,00.html
What Is Perceived as Empowering in Mideast Weakens Israel's Image in West
[Ynet News] Guy Bechor - It is a paradox: What is perceived as empowering in the Middle East weakens Israel's image in the West, particularly in Europe; and what is perceived in the Middle East as weakness is perceived as empowering in world opinion. The strong are admired in the Middle East while the weak are abhorred, yet in the West weakness is considered an advantage. Demonstrating power in Gaza is perceived in the region as a powerful deterrent, but is widely criticized worldwide. The images of Lebanese casualties were perceived as powerful and deterrent acts in the Middle East, but sparked harsh criticism globally. The disengagement from Gaza weakened Israel's deterrent power but was embraced warmly by the rest of the world. This rule also applies to the Palestinians: as long as they were perceived as weak, world opinion was in their favor; as soon as Hamas was depicted as having its own army and power, world opinion forgot them.