By Steven Scheer
JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel wants to take a position closely in “affect operations” in conventional and social media to counteract financial isolation arising from detrimental publicity overseas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned on Monday.
Talking at a Finance Ministry convention, Netanyahu mentioned international funding into Israel had held up within the wake of a 12-day battle towards Iran in June, which he mentioned eliminated an instantaneous risk of a nuclear-armed foe.
However in a uncommon acknowledgment of the isolation arising from worldwide criticism of Israel’s battle in Gaza, he mentioned Israel confronted an financial risk of sanctions and different measures.
He blamed isolation on minorities in Europe pushing “anti-Zionist and excessive Islamist ideology”, and on international locations akin to Qatar, backer of Arabic broadcaster Al Jazeera, investing in shaping international discourse by way of social media.
“This results in sanctions towards Israel and alters Israel’s worldwide standing … and this results in a sort of isolation for Israel,” Netanyahu mentioned. “We are able to escape of this isolation, however we should make investments closely in countermeasures — significantly in media and social media affect operations.”
Netanyahu mentioned Israel ought to scale back the dependence of its industries on commerce with different international locations.
“We would discover ourselves blocked not solely in R&D but in addition in precise industrial manufacturing. We should begin growing our capabilities to rely extra on ourselves,” he mentioned, including that must also embrace arms and different defence merchandise.
In a response, opposition chief Yair Lapid mentioned worldwide isolation was “the product of a flawed and failed coverage by Netanyahu and his authorities.
“They’re turning Israel into a 3rd world nation and will not be even attempting to vary the scenario,” he wrote on X. “Israel can return to being profitable, in style, with a thriving first-world economic system.”
The battle in Gaza was triggered by a rampage into southern Israel by Hamas militants who killed round 1,200 folks and captured 251 hostages, in line with Israeli tallies. Israel responded with an assault that has killed greater than 64,000 folks, in line with Palestinian well being authorities.
On Monday, a gaggle of 80 former Financial institution of Israel, Finance Ministry and different economists, mentioned a cupboard determination to occupy Gaza could be dangerous to each Gaza and Israel, citing financial injury from large prices of sustaining a navy presence and sanctions from Europe that may hurt commerce.
(Reporting by Steven ScheerEditing by Peter Graff)