Amid the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict continues to escalate, resulting in immense human suffering and widespread displacement. This crisis is not only characterized by violence and loss of life but also by a concerning surge of misinformation and disinformation propagated by segments of Western media and influential leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden.
In a recent interview with CGTN's Senior International Editor Abhishek G Bhaya, Palestinian writer and activist Tara Alami, based in Montreal, Canada, shed light on the orchestrated information war against Palestinians. Alami criticized the sensationalist reporting by mainstream media, citing instances like the unverified claim that Hamas beheaded babies—reports that went viral despite being dismissed by the Israel Defense Forces. Such misinformation, according to Alami, serves to dehumanize Palestinians and mask the underlying support from Western governments.
Alami drew parallels to historical propaganda tactics used by the U.S. during the Iraq War, where false claims about weapons of mass destruction led to significant loss of life. She argues that this pattern of manufacturing consent is a deliberate strategy by imperialist media to manipulate public perception and justify state-sponsored violence.
Highlighting the challenges faced by Palestinians, Alami described Gaza as an open-air prison under a stringent blockade for 17 years, limiting access to essential resources and communication. The information blackout aims to hinder journalists from documenting atrocities and restricts Palestinians from sharing their plight with the global community.
The activist emphasized that this information war fosters fear and hysteria against Arabs, Muslims, and Palestinians in Western societies, echoing the post-9/11 sentiments in the U.S. and Canada. This manufactured fear not only perpetuates stereotypes but also undermines efforts toward peace and understanding.
As the crisis in Gaza deepens, voices like Tara Alami's call for greater awareness and critical examination of media narratives, urging the international community to look beyond sensational headlines and recognize the real human impact of the conflict.
Reference(s):
Activist: West waging an information war against Palestinians
cgtn.com
