- The use of bias language dynamics continue to remain stagnant by manipulative news sources. However, there is an emerging force of pro-Palestinian activists who are robustly rejecting misleading terms and elevate Palestinian voices.
- There has been a notable global in favour of Palestine, evidenced in opinion polls, marches and social media trends.
In a groundbreaking historical shift, truth-tellers emerge victorious in the information warfare between Palestine and Israel, propelled by the pervasive influence of modern social media. This article delves into the intricacies that have contributed to this monumental win for Palestine.
1. The Power of Language: Language being used consciously
“It’s a complex issue. No, it’s a near genocide”: While the apartheid and colonisation of Palestine is starkly evident in its black-and-white reality, discussions regarding the massacre of Palestinians often commence on Mainstream Media news outlets with an acknowledgment of its perceived “complexity.” Yet, despite this recognition, there is a conspicuous absence of a substantive explanation for what renders it so complex. Paradoxically, this discourse tends to stifle conversations, especially resonant for those in the pursuit of knowledge and grappling with the stark realities of widespread injustice being committed in Palestine.
In an article tackling this issue, ‘Decolonize Palestine’ asserts:
‘….appeals to complexity have been historically employed in an attempt to defend the indefensible…..This arcanization serves to make Palestine exceptional, meaning that our normal judgement or morality goes out of the window; they do not apply here due to these special circumstances. Normally, it would be difficult to argue against the right of refugees to return to their homes, but in the case of Palestine, these are special refugees created under special circumstances.’
In ‘On Palestine,’ esteemed historian and political activist, Dr. Noam Chomsky, provides insightful commentary on this matter, expressing:
“The last paradox is that the tale of Palestine from the beginning until today is a simple story of colonialism and dispossession, yet the world treats it as a multifaceted and complex story – hard to understand and even harder to solve… Israel succeeded, with the help of its allies everywhere, in building a multilayered explanation that is so complex that only Israel can understand it. Any interference from the outside world is immediately castigated as naïve at best or antisemitic at worst.”
Rejecting Misleading Terminology- It’s not a ‘conflict’: The language used to describe the massacre of Palestinians is pivotal. “Conflict” – a word defined by the Oxford Dictionary as “a serious disagreement or argument”. As pointed out by non-profit The Slow Factory, “a conflict means there is equal footing”. Consequently, referring to what is happening in Palestine as a “conflict” does not depict the reality of the situation, which in actualty involves settler colonisation, military occupation, land theft, and near ethnic cleansing. Framing it as a “conflict” therefore places blame on Palestinians and obscures the power dynamics at play.
Pictured: Employing manipulative language – Screenshot from BBC X’s page
Pictured: The New York Times modified their article title multiple times regarding the Gaza hospital’s intense bombardment. They subsequently published an article explaining that the story was evolving, justifying their title changes.
Pro-Palestinian Political Activists Vigilantly Addressing Media Language Manipulation
Similarly in 2021, Palestinian writer Mohammed El-Kurd –whose family faced displacement in Sheikh Jarrah – effectively countered biased and inaccurate framing in a 2021 CNN interview. Swiftly correcting the interviewer’s misleading language, El-Kurd stated: “To start, it’s not really an eviction, it’s forced ethnic displacement. Because an eviction implies legal authority, while the Israeli occupation has no legitimate jurisdiction over the eastern parts of occupied Jerusalem under international law. It also implies the presence of a landlord, and certainly these Israeli settlers have not built our homes, they’re not our landlords, they don’t want our land. Thirdly, eviction does not imply the hundreds of heavily-armed police, army, and settlers colluding… and assaulting and arresting you if you resist.”
2. Palestinian voices are now being amplified
In 1984, the insightful Palestinian American intellectual and author of ‘Orientalism,’ Edward Said, observed the conspicuous absence of Palestinian voices, asserting that Palestinians are systematically denied the “permission to narrate their own experiences”.
In 2020, Maha Nassar, a Palestinian American Associate Professor at the University of Arizona, conducted a study analysing opinion articles in publications spanning a 50-year period from 1970. Her findings echoed a reccuring theme: Palestinians were often discussed “often in condescending and even racist ways” – but that their voices weren’t often represented.
Social Media Activists Redefining Narrative Paradigms & amplifying the Palestinian voice: Prominent Pro-Palestinian activists, including the dedicated ‘Shaun King,’ persistently report on the atrocities against Palestinians amid the recent escalation in Palestine. These advocates meticulously document authentic video footage evidence from Gaza, drawing from on-the-ground reporters as essential secondary sources. Despite their secondary nature, these sources prove invaluable, especially considering the provided translations into English.
3. The Muslims are uniting
Muslim organisations and prominent personalities are uniting to counter misinformation and meticulously report facts and the truth. Social media, plays a crucial role in providing access to diverse sources of information, allowing for a more nuanced understanding and challenging disinformation.
4. It has become easier to decipher the truth today
Today it is easy to deconstruct narratives that are seeped in falsehood; for an example if it is argued, “Israel has the right to defend itself,” the other side can ask, “Why do the Palestinians not have the same right?”
In addition, social media, allows access to a plethora of different sources of information, including those of the victims. Major media corporations consistently serving as Israel’s mouthpiece, as previously mentioned, can be countered by videos captured by Gazans, thus easily dispelling falsehoods. Consequently, disinformation no longer prevails in the information stream as online platforms allow people to grasp the truth instantly and directly from authentic sources, bypassing biased mediators.
Palestinian Diaspora Strength: The growing Palestinian diaspora, aided by the BDS movement, academics, communities, NGOs, and governments, contributes to transparently conveying the Palestinian cause worldwide. This collective effort, coupled with the rise of technology, empowers people to discern truth from lies.
Evidence of the win
Opinion Polls : A Data for Progress poll taken from October 18th-19th 2023, asserted that 66% of likely voters either “strongly agreed” or “somewhat agreed” that the America should work towards attaining a ceasefire.
Similarly, on the 19th October, a poll conducted by YouGov found that of 2,685 respondents, 76 percent of UK citizens wanted a ceasefire in Gaza.
These statistics signify a notable awakening among the populations of both the USA and the UK, shedding light on the truths and atrocities associated with the Israeli regime. Interestingly, both of the governments of these nations have provided unconditional support to Israel. Moreover, they bear a direct responsibility for the murder of numerous Palestinian civilians.
Pro-Palestinian Demonstrations have reached unprecedented scales:
Pictured: Almost a million Brits took to the streets of London to demand change in Palestine
The prevailing sentiment reflected in what is trending on social media is unmistakable:
