Israel Launches 'UN's Lie Industry' Campaign to Counter General Assembly Criticism

Key points

• Israel's Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, along with the National Public Diplomacy Directorate, launched a campaign called 'The UN's Lie Industry' on the first day of the UN General Assembly.
• The campaign features a video showing parrots in the General Assembly hall repeating the phrase 'Blame Israel,' symbolizing what officials call an echo chamber of unverified accusations.
• A companion website, developed with the National Security Council, claims to document biased information about Israel, including allegations of false starvation claims in Gaza and Hamas infiltration of UNRWA.
• Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli stated that repeating lies does not make them true, while Tzipi Hotovely alleged that a large portion of false narratives against Israel originate from UN reports.
• The campaign focuses primarily on policies in US and European capitals and was produced by the Government Advertising Agency (Lapam).

Background

This campaign arrives during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, a period marked by intense diplomatic friction. Recent archive coverage notes that Turkish President Erdogan condemned Israel's actions as a 'genocidal mindset,' while a translation dispute arose between Israel and France regarding remarks on the West Bank. Additionally, the BDS National Committee has launched a petition to suspend Israel's UN membership, citing violations of international law. These events highlight the polarized environment in which Israel is launching its counter-narrative initiative.

How outlets are covering it

The Jerusalem Post presents the campaign as a necessary response to 'systematic and false bias,' emphasizing the Israeli government's effort to expose what it views as coordinated misinformation. In contrast, CNN highlights the opposing view from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who called on the UN to hold Israel accountable for actions in Gaza and the West Bank, describing the situation as a 'genocidal war.' The BDS National Committee, via Action Network, takes a more radical stance, urging the suspension of Israel's UN membership due to its 'total impunity' and violations of international law. While Israel frames the UN as a platform for repetition of lies, critics argue that the UN is a venue for legitimate accountability regarding humanitarian crises and occupation.

Why it matters

This campaign represents a significant escalation in Israel's public diplomacy strategy, moving beyond traditional diplomatic channels to direct public engagement through media and digital platforms. By targeting US and European capitals, Israel aims to influence international opinion and counter narratives that have gained traction in Western media and policy circles. The timing, coinciding with the General Assembly, suggests an effort to shape the discourse before key votes or statements by world leaders, potentially affecting future diplomatic support and sanctions debates.

What to watch

The impact of the campaign will depend on its reach and reception in target countries. Israel may face continued criticism from UN member states and international organizations, while the effectiveness of the website and video in swaying public opinion remains to be seen. Future developments could include responses from the UN itself, potential sanctions discussions, or further diplomatic maneuvers by both Israel and its critics at the General Assembly.