Warfare 2.0: Israel Taps Twitter, YouTube
by
Ken Schachter
on
30 December 2008, 11:02
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Ehud Olmert
Israel is turning to web 2.0 tools in an online public relations offensive that is running in parallel to its air offensive employing F-16s and “bunker-buster” bombs against Hamas in Gaza.
On Tuesday, David Saranga, Israel’s media and public affairs consul in New York was to hold a “citizens’ press conference” via Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/IsraelConsulate) from 1-3 p.m. EST. The Israeli army also has created a YouTube page populated with videos of air and sea operations, including footage air strikes against tunnels to Egypt that Israel suspects are used to smuggle ordinance into Gaza.
Israel’s move toward web tools parallels similar efforts by corporations that want to speak directly to the population online rather than through the filter of newspaper, television and other media outlets.
The Israeli consulate in New York City also maintains a blog site, www.israelpolitick.org, as well as Facebook and Myspace pages.
More than 360 Gazans have died since Israel launched the air offensive four days ago, according to Palestinian sources quoted by the BBC. Rocket fire from Gaza has killed four Israelis.
Israel has massed tanks and soldiers at the Gaza border and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared Tuesday that the air campaign was the “first stage” in the campaign to halt rocket fire into Israel.