Social media giants have started to censor those supporting Palestine Photo Media Engagement
World – Social media giants such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and even Twitter/X have faced allegations from their users regarding the censorship of pro-Palestine content. Some users claim to have experienced shadow banning, while others on YouTube have reported videos being removed or social media accounts being suspended. These incidents have raised concerns among many about the extent of Israel’s influence on the media and the level of control exercised over it.
The media’s power to shape public opinion and political landscapes is unmatched. We have seen how rumours turned into full blown stories only to be discredited but yet are still pushed. Hassan Lorgat, member of the People’s Media Consortium, highlighted the systematic control of the narrative by Israeli authorities, emphasising their efforts to maintain dominance over resources and global support. For Israel, the media war is one they need to win in order to continue to drain foreign countries of their wealth and ensure they help them commit their genocide
“The Israelis control the narrative on International media. This narrative is important for them to continue to get the resources, funding and the military supplies that it claims it needs to have the dominance of the West over the resources of the Middle East, over Muslim people. I really think that they’ve played this to a tee but as you can see the support from the base, from the streets in the North, as well in the Arab communities is different from that of what the leaders have said.”
The role of Western Media
The complicity of Western media in perpetuating distorted narratives cannot be ignored, with notable instances such as the smear campaign against former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. Corbyn, known for his pro-Palestine stance, was targeted by the BBC during the 2019 elections. The broadcaster employed baseless accusations of antisemitism to portray him, a lifelong anti-racism advocate, as a bigot. Despite the transparently preposterous nature of these smears, they had a significant impact, leading to the end of Corbyn’s prime ministerial prospects. Interestingly, in 2022, during a BBC 5 Live radio broadcast, presenter Rachel Burden confirmed the absence of any proof supporting the allegations of antisemitism against Corbyn.
This tactic of disseminating false narratives and later acknowledging the truth mirrors the strategies often employed by Israel.
“The Israeli propaganda machine works like this. First they deny that they were involved, they were anywhere there. Then eventually they set up some kind of investigation, stretch this out and they get all world opinion there to say it’s not them. They’re not there, blame the victims. The Palestinian shot themselves, Shereen Abu Akhleh was apparently shot by Palestinians. Same playbook. This is a classic playbook but in the current issue where they were talking about babies beheaded or the bombing of a hospital, this was celebrated by them in their own posts and then it was deleted. It was celebrated in the Arabic postage of the Israeli Defense Force. They have a clear guideline. They deny, blame the victim, set up some kind of investigation and eventually after a year or two say, well maybe it was us.”
Once the truth finally emerges, the devastating consequences have already taken their toll. Thousands of lives have been lost, entire communities erased from existence, and a tragic pattern persists. Lorgat has drawn parallels between Israel’s propaganda techniques and those employed by the Nazis.
“I’m ashamed that the people who have been the victims of a Nazi propaganda seem to take a leaf of repeating a lie. This is what the Nazis did and I find that this regime here is repeating those kinds of lies in the dominant media … You cannot speak the truth if it speaks in favour of Palestinians.”
To counter media censorship, grassroots efforts are crucial. Building independent media institutions, such as community radio stations and public media, can provide a platform for marginalised voices. Initiatives like people’s tribunals shed light on injustices and offer alternative narratives.
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The psychological blockade
There are also countries like Germany who have stayed silent regarding the oppression and occupation of Palestine. Lorgat believes German citizens and the country feel compelled to support Israel given their nature with the Jewish community.
“I would sit with friends in Germany and we would talk about everything else. Resolve the problems of the world but they have a mental block in their head when it comes to the issue of Palestine. There’s an issue of guilt. We need to make the Germans accountable for what they did in Namibia where the first genocides were practised. We need to have that conversation with them, but not in a sense where we’re trying to get money or bullying them, but to show them the indivisible ability of life. They cannot recognise Jewish suffering and you have a mental block and when it comes to Palestinians you cannot choose to get involved because you can’t go down that path.”
Palestine became an easy solution to solve Europe’s problem of antisemitism. The historical roots of anti-Semitism are deeply intertwined with Christian hatred, said Lorgat. The Christian Church’s historical perspectives have contributed significantly to the rise of antisemitism, creating psychological barriers in addressing Palestinian suffering.
Media manipulation and selective coverage
Mainstream media tends to amplify elite voices, thereby suppressing the genuine sentiments of marginalised communities. Even when those voices are heard, they are often misrepresented. The BBC, for example, had to apologise after they labelled a pro-Palestine march as a pro-Hamas march. This was after the BBC continually labelled Hamas a terrorist group and had guests on air who labelled supporters of Hamas as terrorists.
It is not just about challenging false narratives but also those who remain silent on the issue. Engaging with media outlets that maintain silence on crucial issues, such as South Africa’s ENCA, is essential, said Lorgat. Holding these platforms accountable can pressurise them to address the grave atrocities occurring in Palestine.
“By leaving them silent, you’re not helping the cause. Why is it that they are silent? Who does silent serve? Who can be silent in such grave atrocities where buildings go down? Where’s Hollywood, where’s the ICC you? If anyone else has suffered like the Palestinians, there would have been a movie out already.”
Shifting the narrative from monetary gains to humanitarianism is imperative. Advocates must focus on truth, compassion, and solidarity, encouraging a genuine dialogue that transcends monetary incentives.
The struggle for Palestinian justice requires global awareness and a fundamental change in how the media portrays the issue. It’s crucial to confront media censorship, encourage authentic advocacy, and empower marginalised voices. It’s about dismantling the barriers of silence that have surrounded the Palestinian cause. The major news and social media outlets must not be allowed to censor the voices of the true victims and those who speak for them.
