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Portuguese influencers' Israel trip sparks propaganda accusations

From Folha de S.Paulo · () Portuguese

Translated from Portuguese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Analysis Sources not specified Context piece
  • A group of Portuguese influencers faced controversy after a trip to Israel and Gaza, invited by Israeli authorities.
  • Critics accuse the influencers of acting as propaganda tools, sharing uncritical content while ignoring the conflict's realities.
  • The trip occurred amid a high death toll in Gaza and a significant Israeli budget for public diplomacy, known as 'hasbara'.

A delegation of Portuguese influencers has ignited controversy following a trip to Israel and Gaza, organized and sponsored by Israeli authorities. The influencers, who received VIP treatment, shared content from their visit, including footage from Hamas tunnels and celebratory gestures, on social media. One influencer posted, "Life is so cool when you don’t care," accompanied by a nail polish emoji, a statement that drew sharp criticism.

Life is so cool when you don’t care

— InfluencerA Portuguese influencer posted this comment on social media during a controversial trip to Israel and Gaza.

Critics argue that these influencers are being used as propaganda tools, particularly as access for foreign journalists to Gaza remains restricted, with over 260 reporters killed since the conflict began. Unlike journalists, influencers are not bound by ethical codes, allowing them to spread uncritical messages without accountability. The article likens this tactic to using "useful idiots" to improve a country's image, a strategy facilitated by social media algorithms that promote such content.

The trip took place on the same day an Israeli airstrike killed a family of six in Gaza. The influencers stated their aim was to "report" on life in Israel and the Oct. 7 attacks. However, their posts have been criticized for their apparent disregard for the ongoing humanitarian crisis. One influencer claimed, "The coolest thing in Israel is that they have no intention of taking revenge on anyone; love is the word they use most." This statement starkly contrasts with the reported deaths of over 73,000 Palestinians and the international scrutiny of Israel's actions, including an international arrest warrant for Prime Minister Netanyahu.

ready to fight disinformation

— InfluencerOne of the Portuguese influencers filmed herself making a victory gesture after exiting Gaza, stating her readiness to combat disinformation.

Israel allocates $730 million to public diplomacy, or "hasbara," to counter its negative international image, largely attributed to the current government's actions in Gaza. The article asserts that the criticism is not about antisemitism or anti-Zionism but rather a condemnation of the government's actions, which it labels as a "criminal organization responsible for a heinous massacre."

the coolest thing in Israel is that they have no intention of taking revenge on anyone; love is the word they use most.

— InfluencerAn influencer shared this observation about Israel, which critics argue ignores the ongoing conflict and casualties in Gaza.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Folha de S.Paulo in Portuguese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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