One of the first young Israeli backpackers that stayed in our home shared his aspirations to be a foreign diplomat one day. During his stay, he spoke passionately about his beloved homeland, enough to make any Israeli ambassador proud.
The Hebrew word for public relations is hasbara, meaning “explanation.” Many believe it is missing from Israel’s foreign diplomacy. Historically, public relations (PR) have not been one of Israel’s strengths. On October 7, 2002, the State Comptroller’s report criticized Israel’s PR efforts, declaring, “Since its establishment in 1948, Israel’s intelligence organs have not succeeded to respond to the broad-based propaganda and incitement by the Arab world.” The report cited other failings best summarized as a lack of intention and priority by governmental agencies.
Exactly 21 years since the report was released, Israel faced (and continues to face) arguably its greatest PR battle since becoming a nation—a battle many Israelis believe they are losing. Local commentators lament that hasbara remains “inadequate” if not “futile” against the tsunami of lies Hamas propagates and its social media sympathizers regurgitate.
Social Media
A researcher from social media giant TikTok collected data showing the disparity in online posts concerning Israel and Palestinians. Between October 7, 2023 and January 29, 2024, users made 170,430 pro-Palestinian posts and 8,843 pro-Israel posts. Pro-Palestinian posts received 236 million views compared to just 14 million pro-Israel views.
Of course, this data reflects TikTok’s younger demographic. It also correlates with the anti-Israel fever displayed on university campuses and reflects research showing young people are much less supportive of Israel.
The battle for hearts and minds in some ways already feels like a lost cause, at least among the world’s youth. It also feels lost among many older folks who habitually hang on to their traditional mainstream media broadcasts. These 60–90-second news grabs almost always portray Israel negatively, and over time, viewers are conditioned to this narrative. Whether these lies are that Israel is “an occupier,” “an apartheid state,” or “committing genocide,” they usually stick like mud.
Israel’s Right to the Land
One Israeli writer, Tova Herzl, is resigned to the idea that only religion can do what hasbara has not. She says only those (Jews and Christians) who share a belief in Israel’s “holy books” will be persuaded that Israel has a divine right to the land.
We need both Christians and Jewish people advocating for Israel and the Jews’ right to exist.
Those with a Judeo-Christian worldview are more likely to support the Jewish people’s right to the land, but the perception that this support is more effective than or can replace hasbara is misplaced. A better view is that we need both Christians and Jewish people advocating for Israel and the Jews’ right to exist. Both should uphold Israel’s right to dwell peacefully in the land God has given them.
We should also strongly defend Israel’s right to the land based on international law. Throughout Israel’s modern history, Arab nations have initiated and lost wars, including the Six-Day War of 1967. At that time, Israel won control of East Jerusalem and its historical holy places but was pressured to return them to their enemies. On October 7, 2023, Hamas initiated a war by invading Israel and committing war crimes, yet the world consistently pressures Israel to retreat from Gaza.
Concerning international law, Israel fights within the rules. Hamas does not. Its ideology and laws say their members must kill all Jews. Rational Jewish people are confused about why the world doesn’t share this view. As two commentators wrote, “The PR techniques used by Hamas and its supporters are deliberately designed to subvert the truth. They use incitement and imagery that trigger a purely emotional response from their targets. This emotional reaction is virtually immune to reason. The Big Lie often works.”
Christians and Hasbara
Our solidarity shows Israel we care, initiates deeper dialogue, and brings blessings in the process.
The Bible recognizes this desperate and frustrating dilemma for which Israel seemingly has no answer. There is a desperate call for God’s intervention in the face of Israel’s hostile enemies:
O God, do not remain quiet; do not be silent and, O God, do not be still. For behold, Your enemies make an uproar, and those who hate You have exalted themselves (Psalm 83:1–2, NASB95).
These words remind God’s Chosen People that the answer to their plight lies with the God of Israel. In time, this truth will become increasingly evident to them.
Until that time, hasbara remains mandatory for Bible-believing Christians. It demonstrates our love for what God loves and is a powerful witness to the Jewish people. Our solidarity shows Israel we care, initiates deeper dialogue, and brings blessings in the process. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every Christian would see this?
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The situation will only worsen as “Christianity” continues to decline along with the number of “Christians” who read and believe the literal interpretation of Scripture, and as apostasy expands exponentially in general and specifically with the abhorrent heresies of Replacement/Kingdom Now/Dominion theologies.
We are told to be salt and light in this dark world, that includes standing for the truth in regard to Israel both biblically and historically, but we also know Israel will ultimately stand alone. It is heartbreaking to watch the hatred for the land and people grow knowing where it’s headed. We can find hope in it as well, because we know the outcome.
Praying for the peace of Jerusalem and grace and mercy on God’s Chosen People. Maranatha.