October 14, 2024
By Nasser Kandil
Benjamin Netanyahu throws two narratives into the media market, echoed by Western and Arab outlets. The first, crafted by Netanyahu with the help of Unit 8200 and the media operations room run by U.S. intelligence, drives a storyline that has persisted since the al-Aqsa Flood. It highlights supposed disagreements between the U.S. and Israel at every key juncture.
We hear that Washington opposes the entry into al-Shifa Hospital, only to later approve it. Then, it reportedly opposes the entry into Rafah but claims it has verified no civilian danger. Civilians are killed, and Washington says, “We found no war crimes”. The U.S. proposes a ceasefire, and Tel Aviv rejects it, prompting Washington to say that the real issue is Hamas. Yet, we are still expected to believe in a U.S.-Israeli rift?
Tel Aviv panics over the bombing of Haifa, so Washington steps in with a formula: stop bombing Beirut, and Haifa will be spared. We hear that Washington pressured Tel Aviv to leave Beirut alone.
Tel Aviv fears a devastating Iranian response to any attack it launches against Iran. If oil facilities are bombed, both Israel and Washington must brace for greater consequences – Washington facing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, while Tel Aviv faces the destruction of all its energy resources. If a nuclear facility is targeted, Washington fears Iran might declare its possession of a military nuclear program, leaving the U.S. embarrassed and powerless, while Tel Aviv dreads complete destruction. Despite this, the media narrative speaks of a U.S.-Israeli dispute, supposedly because Washington is pressuring Israel not to target oil and nuclear sites.
Should Tel Aviv refrain from attacking an oil or nuclear facility, the image will be one of Washington restraining Israel. Through this media game, Israel is presented as powerful despite its fear, while Iran is stripped of its deterrent image. Washington emerges as a force for good, not evil, even though those killed in the massacres committed by the occupying army are victims of Washington’s financial, military, and political support.
Debates take place on TV panels and newspaper pages, multiplying articles around a ludicrous lie that no rational person should believe: the so-called U.S.-Israeli disagreement. Yet, many minds have been manipulated to accept and spread this notion because the purpose of programmed media is to brainwash and reprogram thinking.
