Israel’s Digital Diplomacy: A Strategic Battle Against Misinformation
In a revealing interview with The Media Line’s Felice Friedson, David Saranga, head of the Digital Division at Israel’s Foreign Ministry, alongside Sapir Levi, head of the Arabic New Media Desk, shed light on Israel’s strategic effort to influence public opinion and combat misinformation online, especially in the Arab world.
Saranga, with a rich background in Israeli public diplomacy, emphasizes the critical role of digital diplomacy in shaping narratives beyond the physical battlegrounds. He notes the challenge of outnumbered voices, with 1.8 billion Muslims potentially spreading messages from Gaza versus 15 million Jews globally. Another hurdle is countering fake news proliferating on social media.
Levi, with her Moroccan heritage and expertise in Middle Eastern studies, focuses on reaching out to the Arab world through platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok. Her team’s primary channel, “Israel Speaks Arabic,” boasts over 3 million followers, predominantly from the Gulf states. Despite the predominance of negative sentiments, Levi’s initiatives, like the “Voices of Peace” campaign, highlight supportive voices from the Arab community.
A critical aspect of their mission is rapid response to misinformation, relying on the IDF for accurate information. Both Saranga and Levi underscore the importance of factual accuracy in their digital campaigns.
The interview delves into the complexities of digital warfare, the intricate balancing act between addressing global audiences and specific regional sensitivities, and the ongoing efforts to counter the spread of misinformation and fake news.
To explore the full interview and gain deeper insights into Israel’s digital diplomacy efforts, visit The Media Line’s website and watch the accompanying video.
