As an American, I am familiar with political division. There is always an ongoing battle of Democrats vs. Republicans, Liberals vs. Conservatives, and the list goes on.

Yet as Israel’s operation in Gaza seems to be winding down I’ve noticed a tangible global division over the matter of Israel more than ever.

I’m fully aware that this global division over Israel has always existed. However, I have to admit I’ve never seen it on such a large scale. Massive demonstrations from both sides are drawing thousands to protest in cities like New York, London, and Paris, with many anti-Israel protesters resorting to violence with their verbiage and action shifting from anti-Israel rhetoric to extreme anti-Semitism.

How is it possible that this little country of 8 million people with a land mass the size of the state of New Jersey can create such an international frenzy? Well, from what I can gather, the reason people are so divided over Israel comes down to three reasons: ignorance, Islamism and anti-Semitism, and isolationism.

Ignorance Coupled With Propaganda

Hamas understands it cannot defeat the Israeli army militarily, so they resort to another form of warfare to defeat the Israelis––propaganda. The images of women and children injured by Israeli weapons become Hamas’ global ammunition used to weaken Israel. Hamas loves it when bloggers, social media mavens, and influential people with little knowledge of the history surrounding Israel/Gaza conflict spread their lies about Israel’s actions in Gaza. During Israel’s operation in Gaza, international star Penelope Cruz and her husband, Javier Bardem, recently signed a letter that accused Israel of “genocide” in Gaza.

Genocide… really?

Genocide is defined as a systematic extermination of a large group or ethnic people. I guess Cruz and Bardem forgot to research that Palestinian population in Israel has doubled in the past 20 years. That sounds like an unsuccessful genocide to me. Using the word “genocide” to describe Israel’s Operation Protective Edge in the Gaza brings to light the actors’ ignorance on the Israel/Gaza relationship coupled with propaganda, which helps to create division.

Fortunately, Penelope Cruz admitted to her own ignorance in a response to her “genocide” letter saying, “I don’t want to be misunderstood on this important subject. I’m not an expert on the situation and I’m aware of the complexity of it.” Ms. Cruz, if you know you’re not an “expert” on the complex situation of Israel/Gaza, then why do you use such provocative language to describe Israel’s actions in Gaza, misinforming the throngs of people who listen to you?

So here is an influential actress with a voice to reach millions, calling Israel’s actions genocidal, and then confessing she is NOT an expert on the Israel/Gaza conflict. Her words are more dangerous than the weapons being used in the war because she spreads lies about Israel to the uninformed community stirring more global hate toward Israel, which is exactly what Hamas wants.

Part 2 of Global Division Over Israel. Why? will examine the effects of the spread of Islamism and anti-Semitism on international opinion of Israel.

Part 3 of Global Division Over Israel. Why? will examine the effects of isolationism on international opinion of Israel.

CJK