Ex-IDF Arabic Spokesperson Avichai Adraee Joins News 12

Avichai Adraee, who served for 21 years as the IDF's Arabic spokesperson, is joining News 12 as an Arab affairs commentator. Adraee recently criticized the handling of the Gaza conflict, stating, "We are still improvising, and it looks like one big improvisation."

In an interview with News 12 correspondent Keren Marciano, Adraee reflected on the period three years after the October 7th attacks. He acknowledged that Hamas suffered a severe blow militarily and that the "axis of resistance" is in a significantly different position than before the attacks. However, he questioned whether Gazan residents, even those suffering hardship, would regret Hamas leader Sinwar's decision to launch the attack, suggesting they might not openly express such regret due to their Islamic worldview and long-term aspirations.

Adraee argued that the perception of defeat is not deeply ingrained in Hamas's leadership or its supporters, who he believes view the conflict as a step towards a divine promise. He emphasized the need for Israel to invest more in shaping perceptions and understanding Hamas's long-term goals, noting that even newly opened makeshift schools in Gaza continue to use terminology that frames the October 7th events as religiously motivated.

Marciano pressed Adraee on whether a Gazan enduring difficult conditions would still not blame Hamas for the situation. Adraee responded that while individuals would curse Hamas leaders like Sinwar, Khalil al-Haya, and Mohammed Deif for the disaster, their underlying belief in Hamas's cause might persist. He suggested that Israel has effectively dealt with militants and infrastructure but needs to focus more on influencing education and long-term perceptions.

Discussing Israeli public diplomacy, Adraee described it as being in a worse state than before October 7th. While praising the IDF's Spokesperson Unit as energetic and creative, he stated it cannot handle everything alone. He pointed to the damage caused by certain narratives and the lack of a coordinated Israeli response to events, noting the prevalence of conspiracy theories in the Arab world. Adraee recalled a surge of volunteers wanting to assist with public diplomacy after October 7th but lamented the current lack of coordinated efforts, attributing it partly to political reasons. He concluded that Israel is still improvising its public diplomacy strategy, which he believes requires significant resources and a unified approach.