Friday 26 February 2010

Israeli government videos portray Europeans as gullible

The Israeli government has produced a series of spoof videos portraying how it believes the country is perceived by ignorant and gullible Europeans.

The lampoon of foreigners suggests Israel is seen as a backward country, marked only by a propensity for war.

Israel is concerned that, after its offensive on the Gaza Strip last year, its image abroad is suffering.

The main aim of the website is to offer tips to Israelis travelling abroad on how to correct common myths and misperceptions about their country.

The satirical videos imply that Europeans are ignorant enough to swallow any preposterous image of Israel.

In one short clip, a British TV reporter introduces the camel as a "typical Israeli animal, used by the Israelis to travel from place to place in the desert where they live".

"It is the means of transport for water, merchandise and ammunition. It is even used by the Israeli cavalry," he says in a David Attenborough pose.

In a second clip, a breathless anchorwoman in a French TV studio has breaking news of "the sounds of war" in Israel.

"Our special envoys report shooting and heavy explosions across the country," she gasps, as Israel innocently celebrates its independence day with fireworks displays and fly-pasts.

A third shows an Israeli barbecue, where a bouncy Spanish TV reporter in riding breeches informs her audience: "Most Israeli homes don't have electricity or gas, so they use ancient cooking methods, like meat roasted on charcoal".

The website is the work of the Ministry of Hasbara, a Hebrew word meaning explanation or publicity.

"Are you fed up with how we are being presented in the world?" asks a voice after each clip.

It goes on to say volunteers can help improve the country's image by being image ambassadors and countering anti-Israel prejudice.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/7316401/Israeli-government-videos-portray-Europeans-as-gullible.html

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

We in Europe see the Jewish Occupation of Palestine.

When a Jew speaks it's like ,'I hear you,you are saying...'.