ALBAWABA- Ronald S. Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, has called for a sweeping Israeli public diplomacy campaign backed by a $1 billion budget, arguing that while Israel has achieved military successes since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, it is losing the battle for global public opinion.
Speaking at the Jerusalem Post Conference in New York, Lauder said Israel faces an increasingly hostile information environment that he believes threatens the country's long-term security and international standing as much as military threats.
"Israel is winning on the battlefield but losing in the court of public opinion," Lauder told attendees, warning that misinformation and negative narratives about the war in Gaza have significantly damaged Israel's image abroad.
To address what he described as a growing disinformation challenge, Lauder proposed the creation of a dedicated Israeli government agency focused exclusively on strategic communications and public diplomacy. The agency, he said, should be equipped with substantial resources and operate on a scale comparable to major national security initiatives.
Lauder also suggested that Israel draw on the expertise of its intelligence services, including Mossad and Shin Bet, to identify the origins of what he characterized as false or misleading claims about the country and the conflict.
"Israel should use its excellent intelligence services in this fight," he said. "The Mossad and Shin Bet are second to none, and they must know where these lies are coming from."
In another notable proposal, Lauder called for the development of a new generation of media-savvy Israeli representatives capable of effectively communicating Israel's positions to international audiences. He argued that Israel's greatest advantage in the information sphere lies not in financial resources but in its people.
The remarks quickly generated debate online and among political commentators. Supporters said Lauder's proposals reflect growing concerns within pro-Israel circles that the country has struggled to communicate its security concerns and military objectives to global audiences. Yet, his suggestions risk blurring the line between combating disinformation and suppressing legitimate criticism of Israeli government policies.
The debate comes amid intense international scrutiny of the Gaza war and broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where competing narratives have become a central battleground alongside military and diplomatic developments.
Since the October 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel and the subsequent Israeli assaults in Gaza, public opinion has become increasingly polarized worldwide. Advocates point to the humanitarian toll of the conflict, civilian casualties, displacement, and longstanding grievances related to occupation and statehood.
The broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains one of the world's most enduring and contentious disputes, rooted in competing national movements, historical claims, questions of sovereignty, and unresolved issues surrounding borders, Jerusalem, refugees, security, and mutual recognition.
