Soccer Dad

So, you didn't like my 3Ms?

http://myrightword.blogspot.com/2008/08/jewish-bloggers-conference-medads-three.html

I've got some of the slides up that she presented as photos - here.

The research was great, the solution though was a joke, IMHO.

Huge mistake, one of the dumbest things I've seen Israel do. Urgent, existential need to get back to (start!) any kind of 1/2 decent hasbara (Israel's weakness, Arabs' strength). Some of the stuff on IsRealli blog, for ex, actually turns me (and I imagine others) off from Israel.

The concern in outsiders' mind is terrorism and oppression -- that's it. Everyone knows Israel contributes to science and technology and most know of their pretty women--it does not matter at all. There are plenty of people who would support Israel if the historical, legal, and moral arguments were made, but they are not being made and the whole world is buying the marketed Palestinian narrative. Israel's neglect to defend itself w/the pen makes it look foolish, and promotes the idea that if she doesn't care why should I.

People who are going to visit and/or like Israel, mostly will do so anyway for religious or historical/archaeological reasons, not because of cool cuture, pretty women, windsurfing, nightlife, etc. Israel cannot be marketed like any other country, it is unique. She will be supported only if it is conveyed that she is the noble, moral one to support, that she is the victim of oppression here. Facts, we need history, we need law (why the UN resolutions don't apply or why and how they do), we need facts about the issue, not diversion.

Cindy, I had a teacher when I was at Colombia University--T. H. Gaster. He was the son of Rabbi Moses Gaster who worked with Herzl, which is why this professor's full name was Theodore Herzl Gaster.

He was a curmudgeon, who recalled being approached following the Zionism=Racism resolution by Zionist leaders who wanted to change the name Zionism to something else. His response was something to the effect that if you change the name, then Zionism itself no longer exists.

One could argue that likewise, creating this branding is not merely adding a layer and putting a face (facade?) on Israel, but changing and reinventing what Israel is all about.

But one of the problems with Hasbara--no matter how well it is done--is that Palestinian PR at this point can be encapsulated in a two-word bumper sticker: FREE PALESTINE. Any pro-Israel bumper sticker would be too long, because our PR is not visceral, it is full of explanations, history and dates.

The best we can do is publish books and articles. Leon Uris was the best at this with his book Exodus that almost singlehandedly created a narrative that lasted and was effective for a long time.

Agreed that scantily clad women is not the way to win the world over, but the fact remains that Israel has an image that is stark, dark, and foreboding. But this marketing is not about women in bathing suits and it is not even about telling people once again about Israel's scientific accomplishments. Instead it is about putting a face--a human face--on the country. This is an issue that actually exists independently of the conflict with Israel's neighbors and has as much to do about tourism and foreign investment.

There is no reason that the marketing angle cannot be done alongside the Hasbara. In fact, I don't see how we can afford not to respond to the lies and propaganda of the Arab world. Part of the problem is that Hasbara is reactive. Here is an opportunity to do something pro-active.

Facts, we need history, we need law (why the UN resolutions don't apply or why and how they do), we need facts about the issue, not diversion.

That is just one aspect of hasbara. Frankly the law is wasted on a lot of people. They really aren't interested in it, don't understand much of it and don't care.

If we lived in a world where people want substance...

But Jack, are people really interested in and understand the facts, the issues, and the history any more than they are interested in and understand the law?

That is why bumper sticker PR is so effective.
You don't have to think.

I took out my crocheting when she began to talk. I was bored. It could have had been presented in a fraction of the time.
We Israeli blogger show the real Israel. Bimbos on the beach won't bring us a better image.
Speaking with confidence and a smile will. Asking the UN and US and Europe for protection make us look awful. Getting rid of the terrorists will make us seem safer.

And how come nobody heard my statement that the person who made jblogging a community for me is Soccer Dad? And I said that I thought that he should have been at the convention. I pushed carnivals.
When I complained, prior to the convention to Steve that the jblog carnivals and the hosts aren't on panels, he promised me comment time to bring it up. And that's what I did. I didn't say what db said I did.

I take this opportunity to thank soccer dad.

Daled, here's a newpaper ad:

Picture of a terrorism against Israel scene, then "Who's oppressed?"

There could be a whole series of such posters:

One of those maps like this but clearer, then something like:
"21 countries, ____ sq miles
1 country, ____ sq miles
Who's oppressed?"

or picture of official PA map (i.e., labeled Palestine w/no Israel anywhere)- then,
"No Israel on map,
Who's oppressed?"

"Saudi Arabia: no jews allowed.
Who's oppressed?"

And they definitely need an ad for Jerusalem highlighting:
- 3000 year presence
- Temple Mount purchased by David
- never capital of any other nation
- captured and illegally occupied by Jordan after '48 war of aggression, but lost it after attacking Israel in '67

Hasbara does not have to be only reactive either, can and should be proactive.

Batya, I heard you mention Soccer Dad and the carnivals.

Part of the problem is that there are too many angles to blogging for Israel and too little time. There's blogging about life in Israel, there's responding to the media bias, there is commenting on news in Israel, there are the carnivals etc.

But this was just the first conference. Problems are expected in order to make the next one that much better.

Cindy, I think we are agreed on the continued need for Hasbarah. You cannot ignore the media bias nor the lies perpetuated by Islamists and others.

All I am suggesting is that Israel can do more in addition to Hasbarah.

When I mentioned defensive as opposed to proactive, I had in the back of my mind that fact that Israel does not go on the offensive about how Muslim countries conduct themselves in the way that the Muslim countries attack Israel in their PR.

Not sure that they should.

BTW, I still think that until you can condense your ad to a bumper sticker, it won't be as effective as it should be.

The ad you suggest is good--images instead of dry facts, but it has to be done over and over and picked up by others. To that extent Israel being vastly outnumbered is a problem.