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.
