Another Perspective
A Wikileaks Lesson
What Israel can learn from Iran.
On November 27, 2010, it was reported that recently declassified diplomatic documents showed that in 1970 Japan and the United States once reached a deadlock in negotiations over a Nixon administration demand that Japan curb its cheap textile exports. Exposed forty years later, this material was of great interest to historians and diplomatic analysts.
On the very next day, November 28, the whistle-blowing website Wikileaks released classified diplomatic documents that detail current diplomatic maneuvering under the Obama administration and not surprisingly caused a media frenzy. These revelations have raised all kinds of questions about the way American diplomacy is being managed and have been largely embarrassing, although seemingly little concrete damage was done.
Prominently featured in news headlines reporting on the leak were ongoing U.S. efforts to curb Iranian nuclear belligerency, including a report of Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak warning that the world has just 6 to 18 months to stop Iran from building a nuclear weapon; King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia imploring Washington to “cut off the head of the snake”; and Bahrain’s king warning that allowing Iran’s program to proceed was “greater than the danger of stopping it.”
Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu responded by pointing out that the leaked documents show that “more and more countries, governments and leaders in the Middle East and in the world understand that Iran’s nuclear program is the fundamental threat.”
Few were surprised by the global concern expressed over Iran, particularly from its neighbors and other Gulf States. What was interesting to note was the warped reaction from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad whose response, I believe, should serve as an important lesson for Israeli diplomats, specifically with regard to representing Israeli positions in the arena of global opinion and conveying the Israeli narrative.
Ahmadinejad alleged the leaks were an “organized” effort by the U.S. to stir trouble between Iran and its Arab neighbors and that the documents were “psychological warfare.” He continued to say that “Some part of the American government produced these documents; we don’t think this information was leaked. We think it was organized to be released on a regular basis and they are pursuing political goals.”
One can imagine that many, specifically in the Muslim world, with a lesser education or free access to information, and an unhealthy predisposition towards the U.S. and Israel, are very likely to buy into this propaganda. After all, is it possible that the great United States couldn’t prevent the release of this documentation? Perhaps the purpose of this release is to prepare the world for an invasion of Iran, just as the release of British intelligence documents before the Iraq war in 2003?
What Ahmadinejad has done, as he often does, in a twisted and heinous fashion, is to present a compelling counter-narrative that tells a story, is reported on the front pages, and will sadly convince many the world over of its legitimacy.
Another shocking example of the proficiency of the Iranian counter-narrative effort is the ongoing program to deny the Holocaust. Through exhibitions and conferences, Ahmadinejad is able to grab headlines and perpetuate his message of insanity throughout the world. Although many in the West give little credence to his claims, the fact that this position is circulated is in itself a triumph of his evil.
A qualified PR professional or lawyer will tell you that in order to combat a negative perception, a counter-narrative is much more powerful than a straight denial. Israel must quickly learn that the best way to combat harmful headlines is to present a compelling story that conveys the correct message.
By way of example, this week the following story was prominently featured by the BBC:
A report entitled; “Dashed Hopes: Continuation of the Gaza Blockade,” compiled by 21 different groups, including Oxfam, Amnesty, and Save the Children, said that there has been “little improvement” for people in Gaza since Israel announced it was easing its economic blockade of the territory six months ago.
“Only a fraction of the aid needed has made it to the civilians trapped in Gaza by the blockade,” said Jeremy Hobbs, Director of Oxfam International. “Israel’s failure to live up to its commitments and the lack of international action to lift the blockade are depriving Palestinians in Gaza of access to clean water, electricity, jobs and a peaceful future,” Mr. Hobbs added.
Israel would do well to highly publicize the following counter-narrative that was also reported recently.
The International Monetary Fund reported that Tel Aviv’s decision to partially open blockaded Gaza to the outside world enabled the territory to achieve economic growth of 16 percent in the first half of the year.
The Jewish sage Ben Zoma taught: “Who is wise? He who learns from every man.” Perhaps even from Iran’s vile and criminal practices Israel can learn a valuable lesson.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (17) | Leave a comment
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Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 12.7.10 @ 6:15AM
Wikileaks is not a whistle blowing web site. It's another form of a dictatorship or terrorist movement which believes there should be no secrets. Wikileaks is just another form of elitism or public collectivism.
On another note, if these governments learned anything, they should have learned that to keep matters secret, they should have stored their secrets in the same place that Michelle and Barack Obama kept their college transcripts and papers and birth certificates. The press can't seem to find them.
Louis Jenkins| 12.7.10 @ 8:54AM
Yes, O'Stalin, but if the secretive documents had been placed on Wikileaks we'd have a different story. It's not just the press, it's the government that has placed a lid on it. The pile is putrifying.
Appleby| 12.7.10 @ 7:06AM
The only way to keep a secret is not to let anybody know you have a secret.
WTF| 12.7.10 @ 9:25AM
An Iranian bomb is not an existential threat to Israel; oil at $300/bbl. is. The best way forward for Israel is to cede the territories taken in '67 and forget about expansionism.
KyMouse| 12.7.10 @ 4:00PM
Here is the reply of Facts and Logic About the Middle East (FLAME):
"Syria has attacked Israel three times across the Golan. Given its implacable hostility, no responsible Israeli leader could possibly return the Golan to Syria. If it were to give up the high ground of the Golan and return to the 'death trap' borders of 1967 or anything close to it, Israel, in order to survive, would have to rely on the good will of the Arab states, whose main policy objective is the destruction of Israel.
"Even though peace-for-peace would be the best solution, how about this: In order to assuage Arab pride, consider granting formal ownership of the Golan to Syria and having Israel — given the precedents of Guantánamo and Hong Kong — lease it back for a hundred-year period. An aggressor will attack only if confident of victory. With the Golan in Israeli hands, attacking Arab armies could be confident of defeat, and peace would be preserved. To hand back the Golan to Syria at this time would be a prescription for war and for Israel’s destruction."
Occam's Tool| 12.7.10 @ 5:57PM
Mr. (Or Ms.) Mouse:
I lived in KY for 5 years. Unfortunately, I ran into many WTFs and very few of you. I lived in O'Boro, that may have had something to do with it. (Moonlite BBQ was dreadful!) By your presence alone, you lift your state in a higher class. Have you gotten your "Colonel" status yet? You certainly deserve it.
Occam's Tool| 12.7.10 @ 5:46PM
Explain how a nation destroying weapon in the hands of a homicidal madman is not a threat to a one bomb (to destroy) country. Incidentally, 3 Israeli wars happened before the territories were seized---1948, 1956, 1967. (The six day war did NOT have occuation of the West bank as a Casus Belli.
Occam's Tool| 12.7.10 @ 5:55PM
Sorry--"occupation," close parenthesis. Sorry, one day I will be literate.
Occam's Tool| 12.7.10 @ 5:58PM
The above question goes to WTF.
A. C. Santore| 12.7.10 @ 11:26AM
Someone far, far wiser than I once said, "One may know. Two should not. When three know, the world knows."
"The Wikileaks lesson" has not been learned yet!
We've learned less so far than a wine connoisseur learns about wine from the shape of the bottle.
Neo-libertarian| 12.7.10 @ 9:55PM
Concerning Wiki leaks, Governor Mike Huckabee said: "If we want to keep our nation's secrets 'SECRET,' store themwhere President Obama stores his college transcripts and birth certificate."
Occam's Tool| 12.8.10 @ 12:43AM
Yup, Obummer certainly has his college transcripts under lock and key. Funny, to get into my graduate schools, I had to produce mine.
WTF| 12.7.10 @ 11:26PM
I pay attention to what countries do, not what they say. Iran says they don't want a bomb; of course they do. A bomb is their ticket to survival. A nuclear arsenal is Israel's guarantee.
What this is really about is an end to Israel's hegemony. A bomb in Iran's hands rolls the conventional war theatre up to Israel's door, and that's good. Israel cannot attack Iran and survive the world's wrath over the oil shock; they hope America will do their dirty work.
I'm guessing Obama understands this, and that's why he wom't let Netanyahu wriggle out of the peace talks. He knows Israel is happy with the apartheid state they've crafted; he wants them to admit it. Should he get a Palestinian state in the bargain, Ahmadenijad loses his causus belli. Win-win.
Occam's Tool| 12.8.10 @ 12:42AM
So, WTF, the Iranians are better, morally and ethically, than the Israelis. Interesting world you live in, filled with strange blinking lights and loud flatulent noises.
WTF| 12.8.10 @ 8:22AM
What a prescient handle you picked for yourself, Tool. Interesting sun you live under, where you construct narratives for others and challenge them to defend your concoction.
I don't like Israel, or Iran. Of the two, Israel is the aggressor - having attacked its neighbors without warning or provocation repeatedly. Iran certainly represses those within its boundaries; so does Israel. Iran was attacked by Iraq. It was on the verge of winning that war when America intervened, killing 290 Iranians on an Airbus. Iran accepted a peace accord some days later; Iraq "walked". I don't like that either.
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