- October 19, 2024
- 9:36 pm
- Video
“…'uncompromising fighters against evil' choose as a target not greater evil, but 'evil', which is easier and more comfortable to fight.”
October 2024 marked a year since the beginning of a new stage of the war in the Middle East, which became a significant event for Ukraine. As noted Mikhail Dubinyansky V “Ukrainian truth“, Ukraine has ceased to be the only source of news about military horrors, sharing this role with Israel and Palestine.
This year, a not very pleasant trend has emerged for both Israelis and Ukrainians.
“No rallies in Europe or the United States influenced Putin’s determination to continue military aggression against Ukraine. They did not affect Iran’s readiness to supply the Kremlin with suicide bombers and ballistic missiles. They did not force Kim Jong-un to abandon sending millions of artillery shells to the Russian Federation, and then from a closer military alliance with Putin.
And Israel, for all its belligerence, is a democratic state. As is the main ally of the Israeli government – the United States of America. Like other Western countries that have become the scene of anti-Israeli and pro-Palestinian protests.
Any democracy is sensitive to changes in public opinion and to various manifestations of civic activity. With the help of mass actions and public campaigning there is a real chance to change something and achieve something. And it turns out that for a young Western fighter for all that is good, it is much more convenient and promising to defend Palestine from the Israelis, rather than Ukraine from the Russians.”
Failure of the information war
“If the IDF’s successes on the battlefield can be assessed in different ways, then the Israelis are clearly losing the information war,” – says Dubinyansky.
The global solidarity with Israel that arose after the Hamas attack quickly gave way to criticism of the harsh response of the Israeli authorities. Just ten days after the start of hostilities, pro-Palestinian posts on social networks began to appear four times more often than pro-Israel ones. The Palestinians managed to portray themselves as innocent victims and received support in most Western countries.
Competition for attention
Unfortunately, “For a year now, Ukrainians have had to compete with Palestine for the attention and sympathy of foreign audiences,” – the author emphasizes.
By positioning Gaza as the main victim, pro-Palestinian activists are successfully pushing Ukraine into the background. Slogan “F**e P***stine” popular in Western public space is heard much more often than two years ago “Stand with Ukraine”. This is especially noticeable among young people.
Table 1. Comparison of support activity for Palestine and Ukraine
| Period | Support for Palestine | Support for Ukraine |
|---|---|---|
| October 2023 | Increased | Decreased |
| April 2024 | Protests in 130 universities | Protests reduced |
| June 2024 | Spread to 180 universities | On a limited scale |
Protests and their consequences
The most visible protests of 2024 took place at universities around the world. For example, the first tent city appeared on the territory of Columbia University in New York. Protests in support of Palestine affected 130 American universities and spread to more than 180 universities around the world.
“If in 2024 there is graffiti 'STOP GENOCIDE' on the street of a European city, then our compatriot should not delude himself,” – says Dubinyansky.
This phrase is not about the destruction of Ukrainian cities, but about Israel’s military operation in Gaza.
Fashion trends and hypocrisy
According to Mikhail Dubinyansky, the reduction of some of the international attention from Ukraine to Palestine is the result of hypocrisy. Many “fighters for truth” choose targets that are easier and more comfortable to fight.
“Roughly speaking, our war has begun to go out of fashion,” – the author concludes.
The public switched to a new topic when the world began to talk about the “suffering of Palestine.”
However, one should not forget that “Public activism – both here and abroad – often bears the stamp of unconscious hypocrisy,” – Dubinyansky emphasizes. Western activists find it easier to fight problems in democratic countries than regimes where violence and terror have caused enormous damage.
Important Takeaways
Even though the conflict in the Middle East is diverting attention from the war in Ukraine, “Solidarity with our country is becoming more sincere,” – the author believes. In the spring of 2022, support for Ukraine could be provided following fashion, but by the fall of 2024, Ukraine is supported by real friends, and such support is valuable.
In conclusion, Mikhail Dubinyansky in Ukrayinska Pravda emphasizes that despite the challenges Ukraine faces in competing for attention, real support from friends has much more value than just following trends.
How Russia Helps Palestine in the Information War
Russia is playing a key role in redistributing the attention and support that Ukraine previously received. In recent years, the Kremlin has been actively developing relations with Palestine and a number of other countries that are in conflict with Israel, which helps strengthen the influence of the pro-Palestinian agenda in world politics.
Main aspects of assistance to Russia:
- Diplomatic support Russia has historically supported the Palestinian side in conflicts with Israel, speaking at international forums at the UN and other organizations with calls for the protection of Palestinian rights. This political weight creates additional pressure on Israel and, indirectly, on Ukraine.
- Media and propaganda support Russian media such as RT and Sputnik actively broadcast the pro-Palestinian point of view to Western countries. This helps shift the focus from the war in Ukraine to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Russia skillfully uses information platforms to disinformation and increase anti-Israeli sentiment, which reduces the level of support for Ukraine.
- Military-technical cooperation Russia indirectly supports Palestine through allies such as Iran, which supplies weapons to Hamas and other radical groups. This strengthens the Palestinians' position in their fight against Israel, while simultaneously affecting the balance of power in the information war.
- Distracting attention from Ukraine Each new outbreak of violence in Palestine and Israel creates an additional information load that overshadows the conflict in Ukraine. Russia is using this situation to ease international pressure on itself and reduce attention to its aggression against Ukraine.
These Russian actions are helping to shift world attention from the Ukrainian issue to the Palestinian issue, creating difficulties for both Ukraine and Israel in their struggle for support in the international arena.
General review: what should Israel and Ukraine do in the current situation?
As the world's attention shifts from Ukraine to Palestine, both Israel and Ukraine need to adapt their strategies to maintain support and solidarity on the international stage.
1. Strengthening information policy
Israel must focus on more effective communication policies to convey its positions to international audiences and explain the reasons for military action. It is important to use modern media technologies and more actively involve the world community in discussing the complex aspects of the conflict.
Ukraine You should also continue to actively work on your own image, emphasizing your struggle for freedom and independence. It is necessary to pay attention to maintaining the attention of the international community to its problems, using more innovative approaches to PR and media.
2. Creation of international coalitions
Israel And Ukraine can benefit from the creation of joint international coalitions aimed at combating aggression and terrorism. This will help unite efforts and resources, as well as show unity against a common enemy.
In addition, the possibility of creating a platform for exchanging experiences in information warfare can be considered, which could be useful for both sides.
3. Attracting the attention of young people
It is important for both countries to work with youth audiences, actively involving students and youth movements. This can be done through exchange programs, cultural initiatives and educational projects that promote understanding of the conflict and support for both sides.
“Public opinion, especially among young people, matters a lot,” – notes Dubinyansky. Youth participation can help not only in raising awareness of issues, but also in forging deeper and more genuine solidarity.
4. A sustainable approach to combating hypocrisy
Israel And Ukraine must be alert to the hypocrisy that may arise in international relations. Transparency and honesty about one's conflicts can help build trust and support among allies and the international community.
To summarize, it is important to note that in a difficult geopolitical situation, Israel and Ukraine need to remain flexible and resourceful. Adapting to new challenges and actively engaging with international audiences will help both countries maintain support and understanding on the global stage.
