Kerem Shalom

Aid Delivery to gaza Contested as Influencer Coverage Fuels Disinformation Concerns

GAZA/JERUSALEM – A growing controversy surrounds the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, with accusations of obstruction and a surge in pro-Israel influencer content raising questions about the narrative surrounding the crisis. Reports indicate a disconnect between claims of aid availability and the UN’s ability to distribute it, compounded by limited autonomous media access to the region.

For nearly two years, internationally accredited journalists have faced repeated denials of access to Gaza, hindering independent documentation of the ongoing conflict and humanitarian situation. This vacuum has been partially filled by a select group of pro-Israeli influencers granted access to Gaza by the Israeli military,producing coverage that closely mirrors official Israeli messaging.

Recent posts from these influencers allege the United Nations is failing to distribute available aid, instead blaming Israel for the starvation of the Gazan population. One influencer stated, “United Nations is supposed to deliver this food to the Palestinians in Gaza. But they’re not doing that. What they do is blaming Israel of starving the Gaza population.” This claim is supported by a video released by the Israeli military showing aid “sitting in the sun waiting for the UN and international organisations to come and pick it up” at a border crossing.

Though, the United Nations maintains its attempts to access and distribute aid have been consistently impeded and, at times, blocked by Israel. The UN also asserts Israel has not provided safe and secure routes for aid distribution within Gaza. These claims are corroborated by reporting from news organizations including the Associated Press and the Wall Street Journal, who have also visited the site and documented the UN’s position.

The trips undertaken by the influencers are described as “highly choreographed and controlled” – a practice known within Israel as Hasbara, a term for pro-Israel advocacy. The Israeli military declined to provide the ABC with a list of the influencers granted access or respond to inquiries about whether the IDF or the Israeli government requested their presence at the aid distribution site.

This practice of leveraging social media influencers to shape public perception is not new. Last month, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that the Israeli foreign minister was funding a tour of Israel for 16 US social media influencers, with the explicit goal of generating content aligned with Israeli government policy.

Context: The Role of Hasbara and Information warfare

The use of Hasbara is a long-standing component of Israeli public diplomacy, traditionally involving efforts to explain and defend Israeli policies. Though,the increasing reliance on social media influencers represents a shift towards a more targeted and perhaps less clear approach. This tactic raises concerns about the manipulation of public opinion and the erosion of trust in independent journalism, notably in conflict zones where access is restricted.

The intentional control of information flow during wartime is a common tactic, but the use of non-journalist influencers to deliver a specific narrative adds a layer of complexity. Unlike accredited journalists, these individuals are not bound by the same ethical standards of objectivity and verification, potentially leading to the dissemination of biased or incomplete information.

Crucial Details Not in the original Article:

Definition of hasbara: The article now explicitly defines Hasbara for readers unfamiliar with the term. Historical Context of Hasbara: The piece provides background on the historical use of Hasbara in Israeli public diplomacy.
Ethical Concerns: The article highlights the ethical implications of using non-journalist influencers in conflict reporting.
Wider Implications: The piece frames the situation within the broader context of information warfare and the manipulation of public opinion.