Forget the critics, censoring the media in Gaza won’t harm democracy
Analysis Summary
This article tries to convince you that censoring news from Gaza is necessary and justified, similar to past wartime actions by democracies. It argues that international media are biased against Israel and that 'Western press freedom' actually harms Israel's survival. The piece aims to make you think it's okay for Israel to control what information gets out of Gaza, framing any criticism as biased or naive.
Cross-Outlet PSYOP Detected
This article is part of a narrative being pushed across multiple outlets:
FATE Analysis
Four dimensions of psychological manipulation: how content captures Focus, exploits Authority, triggers Tribal identity, and engineers Emotion.
Focus signals
"The following 2025 request from the BBC was accidentally sent out prior to a broadcast: “We want someone who is going to be critical of Netanyahu and the ground offense (concern about remaining hostages, stretching the IDF capacity, destruction of Gaza or any other reason). Do you think you can help with this?""
This BBC request is framed as a leaked, 'accidentally sent out' document, creating a sense of privileged information and an unexpected revelation to capture attention.
"And in truth, since October 7 we Jews have been brutalized, and now it is time that we behave like brutes, which is the only language the savages in Gaza, Judea and Samaria, the savages in the western universities and the savages in the international media understand."
The phrase 'time that we behave like brutes' along with the assertion that this is 'the only language' creates a stark, seemingly unprecedented call to action that aims to shock and focus the reader's attention on a radical shift in approach.
"As of today, the international task force that will patrol and operate in Gaza might soon come into force, but only after Israel loses more precious soldiers while destroying the newly armed, well-fed and thoroughly rested Hamas savages."
This sentence uses vivid, emotionally charged language ('precious soldiers,' 'Hamas savages') to create a dramatic scenario that draws the reader's attention to an urgent and critical situation.
Authority signals
"Robert Besser is a news editor who has worked in television and newspapers in the United States, Asia and the Middle East."
The author's bio is provided at the beginning to establish credibility and experience in media, aiming for the reader to implicitly trust his analysis of media behavior.
"In fact, it was a full 21 months later, on September 20, 1943, that the Americans were confident enough that they would win the war that they allowed Life Magazine to publish the first picture of a dead American soldier. And still, that decision was so sensitive that it had to be made in the White House Oval Office."
The reference to the US government's decision regarding wartime censorship, particularly the detail about the 'White House Oval Office,' invokes the weight and legitimacy of past high-level governmental actions to justify the argument for current censorship.
"In January 2024, Politico reported that Biden “administration officials fear the blackout will make it difficult for anyone to know what is happening between Hamas and the Israeli military as the war in Gaza continues…."
Citing 'Politico reported' and 'Biden administration officials' lends an air of official concern and reinforces the idea that the proposed actions are being discussed and feared at high levels of government.
Tribe signals
"Since October 7, 2023, the antisemetic images of the war in Gaza, which have been enthusiastically distributed by international journalists, have placed Israel into the leftists’ hangman’s noose, and then drawn tight by their social media, television news and newspapers."
This quote immediately establishes an 'us vs. them' dynamic, pitting 'Israel' and implicitly 'Jews' against 'international journalists' and 'leftists,' portrayed as actively hostile and dangerous.
"Because of the great harm done to Israel since October 7 by those journalists of the leftist religion, it is clearly in Israel’s national interest to block all images coming out of Gaza during the expected battle to at last crush Hamas."
Labeling journalists as belonging to a 'leftist religion' not only creates an 'us vs. them' but weaponizes 'leftist' as a negative identity, framing their actions as ideologically (religiously) motivated harm against Israel.
"And please……let’s not hear any more nonsense about the rights of journalists, about the importance of democracy or the free flow of information.Rather, let us only be concerned with the survival of the Jewish people. Beyond the survival of the Jews, there is nothing to discuss."
This creates an absolute 'us vs. them' choice: either prioritize 'rights of journalists/democracy' or 'the survival of the Jewish people,' implying that the former is a frivolous concern when Jewish survival is at stake.
"Within Israel, many on the left will reflexibly scream if the international press is restricted in Gaza. But we have learned that these leftist Jews are only concerned about promoting a free press when publishing their own news is guaranteed to harm Israel."
This passage attempts to delegitimize dissenting voices, particularly 'leftist Jews,' by questioning their motivations and implying their concerns are disingenuous and harmful to Israel, thereby creating fear of social opprobrium for holding such views.
"And in truth, since October 7 we Jews have been brutalized, and now it is time that we behave like brutes, which is the only language the savages in Gaza, Judea and Samaria, the savages in the western universities and the savages in the international media understand."
This quote profoundly weaponizes identity ('we Jews' vs. 'savages' in multiple groups including 'western universities' and 'international media'). It dehumanizes those opposed to the proposed action and elevates the in-group ('we Jews') to a position of having suffered brutality that justifies brutal, uncompromising action, further solidifying an 'us vs. them' dynamic.
Emotion signals
"Since October 7, 2023, the antisemetic images of the war in Gaza, which have been enthusiastically distributed by international journalists, have placed Israel into the leftists’ hangman’s noose, and then drawn tight by their social media, television news and newspapers."
This statement uses highly charged language ('antisemetic images,' 'hangman's noose') to evoke strong outrage and a sense of betrayal against international journalists and 'leftists' for their alleged role in harming Israel.
"the government will be equally unprepared to prevent yet another worldwide media pogrom of antisemetic hysteria perpetrated by international news organizations who libel Israel, adding fuel to worldwide Jew hatred and guaranteeing more violence and dead Jews."
This quote explicitly engineers fear by conjuring the image of a 'worldwide media pogrom' leading to 'antisemetic hysteria,' 'Jew hatred,' 'violence,' and 'dead Jews,' creating an existential threat linked to continued media access.
"But forbid heaven that the Jews make the lives of Hamas baby-killers and rapists uncomfortable."
This statement frames the argument in terms of moral outrage, asserting that it would be an absurd and morally reprehensible double standard to prevent Israel from acting forcefully against 'Hamas baby-killers and rapists,' thereby granting moral superiority to the proposed harsh actions.
"And reflecting the dangerously empty head of the then-leader of the free world, here is what Biden’s National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said about Israel closing down the phones of the Gazans:"
The phrase 'dangerously empty head' is a direct personal attack meant to induce contempt and outrage towards President Biden and his administration, framing their concerns as foolish and ignorant.
"So what is our choice as we head towards the final battles in Gaza? How can we prevent the anti-Jewish media from once again acting as Hamas mouthpieces, and knowingly transmitting lies and falsified pictures about Israel and the IDF?"
The phrases 'final battles in Gaza' and 'prevent the anti-Jewish media from once again acting as Hamas mouthpieces' create a sense of immediate, high-stakes urgency and danger, implying that without immediate action, catastrophic emotional and reputational harm will occur.
"And in truth, since October 7 we Jews have been brutalized, and now it is time that we behave like brutes, which is the only language the savages in Gaza, Judea and Samaria, the savages in the western universities and the savages in the international media understand."
This statement combines several emotional spikes. It evokes strong empathy and shared victimhood with 'we Jews have been brutalized,' then shifts abruptly to a call for aggressive, almost vengeful action ('behave like brutes'), justifying it as the only effective response to the dehumanized 'savages.' This whips emotions from victimhood to righteous aggression.
Narrative Analysis (PCP)
How the article reshapes thinking: Perception (what beliefs are targeted), Context (what information is shifted or omitted), and Permission (what behavior is being encouraged).
The article aims to install the belief that international media, particularly 'leftist' outlets, are inherently biased against Israel, driven by antisemitism, and actively work to undermine its security and international standing. It fosters the belief that censoring information from Gaza is a necessary and legitimate act of self-preservation, akin to historical wartime censorship by democratic nations, and that those who object are either naive or complicit in harming Israel. It seeks to establish that 'western values' of free press are detrimental to Israel's survival.
The article shifts the context of media scrutiny during conflict from a journalistic imperative to hold power accountable to a weaponized, antisemitic attack designed to harm Israel. It shifts the discussion of censorship from a violation of press freedom to a self-evident, pragmatic, and historically justified act of national defense. It compares Israel's situation to that of authoritarian regimes (China, Russia, Cuba) and past wartime censorship by democracies (WWII US, Iraq War US, Falklands UK) to make Israeli censorship appear normal and necessary among nations.
The article omits the distinct legal and ethical frameworks that govern press freedom in democratic societies, especially concerning conflict zones, which differ significantly from the practices of authoritarian states it cites. It omits the role of independent journalism in documenting potential war crimes, humanitarian crises, and civilian impact, which is a core function in democratic oversight. It also omits the nuances of international law regarding access for humanitarian aid and communication during conflict, particularly concerning civilian populations.
The article implicitly grants permission for the reader to support or advocate for strict censorship and control over media access to Gaza by Israel. It encourages the reader to dismiss international criticism of such actions as either biased, naive, or hostile, and to view 'western values' regarding press freedom as impractical or even dangerous for Israel's survival. It fosters a feeling of justified defiance against international condemnation for actions taken to ensure 'Jewish survival.'
SMRP Pattern
Four manipulation maintenance tactics: Socializing the idea as normal, Minimizing concerns, Rationalizing with logic, and Projecting blame.
"But let us behave like brutes, which is the only language the savages in Gaza, Judea and Samaria, the savages in the western universities and the savages in the international media understand."
"Of note is that American democracy was not even minimally harmed by such temporary press censorship. More recently, democracy was not harmed when the US Army imposed near total control of journalists during the Iraq wars. Similarly, the British controlled all images sent by the media during their Falkland’s war, refusing to transmit images their government did not approve of, and the democratic world did not collapse. The truth is that Israeli democracy will also not suffer if our government closes down the transmission of all images from Gaza."
"Because of the great harm done to Israel since October 7 by those journalists of the leftist religion, it is clearly in Israel’s national interest to block all images coming out of Gaza during the expected battle to at last crush Hamas."
Red Flags
High-severity indicators: silencing dissent, coordinated messaging, or weaponizing identity to shut down debate.
"And please……let’s not hear any more nonsense about the rights of journalists, about the importance of democracy or the free flow of information. Rather, let us only be concerned with the survival of the Jewish people."
"Since October 7, 2023, the antisemetic images of the war in Gaza, which have been enthusiastically distributed by international journalists, have placed Israel into the leftists’ hangman’s noose, and then drawn tight by their social media, television news and newspapers."
Techniques Found(18)
Specific propaganda techniques identified using the SemEval-2023 academic taxonomy of 23 techniques across 6 categories.
"Since October 7, 2023, the antisemetic images of the war in Gaza, which have been enthusiastically distributed by international journalists, have placed Israel into the leftists’ hangman’s noose, and then drawn tight by their social media, television news and newspapers."
The phrase 'leftists’ hangman’s noose' uses highly charged and emotionally manipulative language to evoke strong negative feelings and associate 'leftists' and 'international journalists' with extreme malice against Israel.
"it is clearly in Israel’s national interest to block all images coming out of Gaza during the expected battle to at last crush Hamas."
This quote appeals to the value of 'national interest' to justify censorship, suggesting that blocking images is essential for the country's well-being and security.
"Keeping with their anti-Jewish double standards, the Americans and British did not hesitate to use starvation as a weapon to ensure that encircled German and Japanese troops surrendered during World War II. But forbid heaven that the Jews make the lives of Hamas baby-killers and rapists uncomfortable."
This quote points out a perceived double standard, arguing that the US and UK used extreme measures in past wars but now criticize similar actions by Israel, framing their current stance as hypocritical and 'anti-Jewish double standards'.
"newly armed, well-fed and thoroughly rested Hamas savages."
The term 'Hamas savages' is emotionally charged and dehumanizing, intended to provoke disgust and anger towards Hamas and justify harsh measures against them.
"Hamas baby-killers and rapists"
These are emotionally charged and negative labels used to demonize Hamas and evoke strong negative reactions, bypassing rational argument.
"worldwide media pogrom of antisemetic hysteria"
The terms 'pogrom' and 'antisemetic hysteria' are extremely loaded, invoking historical violence and irrational hatred, intended to create a sense of extreme threat and justify defensive measures against media reporting.
"So what is our choice as we head towards the final battles in Gaza? How can we prevent the anti-Jewish media from once again acting as Hamas mouthpieces, and knowingly transmitting lies and falsified pictures about Israel and the IDF? How can Israel slow down the calls by the foreign media to allow Hamas to survive intact so they can again arise to kill Jews?"
This presents a false choice, implying the only options are allowing the media to act as 'Hamas mouthpieces' and transmit 'lies' or censoring them to prevent harm to Israel, thereby simplifying a complex situation into two extreme options.
"surrender-monkeys in the Biden administration"
This uses a derogatory and belittling label ('surrender-monkeys') to attack the reputation of the Biden administration and discredit their actions and suggestions.
"Gazan barbarians’ human rights"
The phrase 'Gazan barbarians' is dehumanizing and emotionally charged, intended to dismiss concerns about their human rights by labeling them as uncivilized.
"dangerously empty head of the then-leader of the free world"
This uses highly critical and insulting language ('dangerously empty head') to undermine the credibility and intelligence of a political leader.
"governmental clown conveniently forgot to mention"
Calling a government official a 'governmental clown' is a clear instance of loaded language designed to belittle and discredit their statements.
"all of whom were soaked in Jewish blood."
This emotionally charged and graphic imagery aims to evoke horror and outrage, painting all Gazans as complicit in violence and justifying harsh treatment.
"the Israel hating Obama-Biden White House, along with the genetically antisemetic US State Department, could not bear to see Israel gaining a military advantage by cutting the communications of their pet Palestinian Arabs."
This quote implicitly questions the motives and integrity of the Obama-Biden White House and the US State Department by suggesting their actions stem from anti-Israel bias and even 'genetically antisemetic' tendencies, without offering evidence.
"uneducated young western savages who pretend to be students and professors"
This uses negative and demeaning labels ('uneducated young western savages') to discredit individuals who might criticize the Beijing government, without addressing their arguments.
"the fraud of western university education, the blatant immorality of the European Union, and the daily criminality of the United Nations."
These are highly inflammatory and accusatory phrases intended to provoke strong negative reactions and discredit entire institutions without nuanced argument.
"anti-Jewish echo chamber operating on behalf of their woke religion"
The phrase 'anti-Jewish echo chamber' uses emotionally charged language to portray media as biased and conspiratorial. The addition of 'woke religion' further politicizes and dismisses their viewpoints as dogmatic rather than based on reason.
"Rather, let us only be concerned with the survival of the Jewish people. Beyond the survival of the Jews, there is nothing to discuss."
This appeals directly to a primal fear of extinction or existential threat for the Jewish people, using it as the ultimate justification to shut down any other discussion or concern.
"we Jews have been brutalized, and now it is time that we behave like brutes, which is the only language the savages in Gaza, Judea and Samaria, the savages in the western universities and the savages in the international media understand."
The repeated use of 'brute' and 'savages' is highly dehumanizing and emotionally charged, intended to justify aggressive behavior and dismiss the humanity of opponents. It exploits past suffering to endorse similarly brutal actions.