Israel Needs National Influence Network, Not Just Public Relations

Israel's response to the "Nezha" film, which allegedly aims to undermine its legitimacy and portray it as a perpetrator of terror, cannot be limited to standard press releases, videos, or influencer delegations. The article argues that this is not a public relations crisis but a war, and defense alone does not lead to victory.

A sophisticated, long-term campaign is underway to erode Israel's legitimacy and establish a false narrative globally. To counter this, Israel requires a national communication and influence network, managed by the Mossad directly under the Prime Minister, rather than the Foreign Ministry. While Foreign Ministry staff are capable, their diplomatic tools are insufficient for this intense information warfare.

The proposed network would integrate intelligence, research, technology, law, diplomacy, culture, content, and influence operations. Its goal would be to identify hostile systems in their nascent stages, map their power centers, expose funding and interests, and develop offensive strategies to neutralize them.

The author contends that Israel, adept at neutralizing security threats far from its borders, must learn to identify and counter cognitive threats before they gain widespread traction. The current approach of reacting to outcomes, rather than addressing the root causes and networks behind them, is failing. By the time Israel formulates an official response, the narrative has already spread globally, becoming an accepted 'fact' for millions.

The article concludes that Israel is currently at a disadvantage, relying on campaigns against a systematic enemy. Without intelligence, deception, audacity, and thinking beyond conventional media and advertising, victory in this information war is impossible. Simply explaining Israel's position is not enough; proactive measures are essential.