Image in Tatters, Israel Can No Longer Hide Behind Its Old Excuses

For weeks, perhaps even months, Israel’s image-makers and media handlers have been fighting a seemingly unwinnable battle to stem the deterioration of Israel’s reputation in the eyes of global public opinion. Every news cycle brings a fresh, horrific story of ongoing violence and the mass killing of Palestinians. Almost daily, new reports emerge, from Israeli snipers killing Palestinians to allegations of sexual torture of detainees in Israeli prisons. The stream of reports on these various violations appears never-ending. One of the heaviest blows to Israel’s image came on 23 June, when the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry published a report concluding that Israel has ‘destroyed the essence of childhood’ for Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and other occupied territories. The UN commission identified a systematic campaign targeting Palestinian children and aimed at destroying their future. The commission even described the actions as a form of genocide. The video of the press conference announcing the findings quickly spread across the internet. Various international media outlets, independent media, human rights organisations, and even major newspapers like The New York Times highlighted it. A video report published by Double Down News on the investigation was opened by British director Richard Sanders by presenting three examples of actions carried out by Israeli forces. One of them told the story of a baby shot in the head while breastfeeding in its mother’s arms.