Hasbara is the manipulative public relations campaigns Israel employs to justify its policies and action directed against Palestinians. This practice is a comprehensive strategy to mould international opinion and garner support for state-sponsored terrorism.

By controlling the discourse, Israel aims to portray its military operations and policies as defensive measures necessary for national security, rather than aggressive acts of occupation and oppression. This manipulation extends to social media, where coordinated efforts are made to flood platforms with pro-Israel content, often drowning out dissenting voices.

One particularly disturbing aspect of this propaganda machine is the exploitation of human tragedy. The repeated “discoveries” of remains of victims, such as those purported to belong to Shani Louk, serve a dual purpose: they aim to evoke sympathy and outrage, thereby justifying further military actions, and they seek to distract from the broader context of the ongoing genocide against Palestinians. The timing and location of these discoveries often appear orchestrated to maximize their emotional impact and political utility.

The recent announcement of Shani Louk’s remains being found in Gaza for a third time is a poignant example. This time her remains were found on the eve of the ICC issuing an arrest warrant for  Netanyahu. This narrative is leveraged to strengthen western support for continued military operations in Palestine, and to appeal to its western backers, influencing policy and arms supplies. Such tactics highlight the despicable use of individual tragedies to advance political and military agendas.

This is much like when America in previous decades would magically eliminate the ‘Muslim Bogeyman’ like Al-Zarqawi, Bin Laden, Gaddifi, Jihadi Jon and list goes on, whenever it needed a boost of support for its military operations.

Despite the extensive hasbara campaigns, the international community has begun to see through the facade. Human rights organizations, independent journalists and activists continue to document and expose the realities of life under Israeli occupation. Despite the political clout and media influence wielded by Israel and its allies, particularly in the United States, people are translating their awareness into meaningful action.

The strategic manipulation of tragedies and the relentless propaganda efforts are not merely about shaping perceptions but about enabling the continuation of genocidal policies. The international community must hold Israel accountable for its actions and reject the abhorrent use of human suffering as a tool for political gain.

The ongoing occupation of Palestine by Israel is anything but complex, contrary to the continuous propaganda.