Public Diplomacy: The Missing Component in Israel's Foreign Policy

Israel maintained a positive image and reputation abroad from 1948 to 1967 and during the few periods of constructive negotiations in the Arab– Israeli conflict, including the 1977–1979 Israeli–Egyptian peace process and the 1993–1994 Oslo negotiations. During the 1991 Gulf War, Israel also garnered sympathy in the international community because it refrained from retaliating against Iraqi missile attacks on its major cities. However, since the outbreak the second intifada or the Palestinian–Israeli war (PIW) in September 2000, Israel’s reputation abroad has dramatically deteriorated. Israel is the only nation in the world whose right to exist is constantly being challenged, and whose ancient capital, Jerusalem, is unrecognized by all but a few states. Israeli leaders are often compared to leaders of Nazi Germany, and Israeli actions against the Palestinians are often described as Nazi-like policies. Conditions in Israel and the Palestinian territories are often compared with those that existed in apartheid South Africa. The main goal of these comparisons is to demonize, dehumanize and de-legitimize Israel. The UN, and most other international organizations, has systematically discriminated against Israel and disproportionately attacked its policies. NGOs, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, frequently criticize Israel while ignoring serious human rights violations on the part of Arabs and Palestinians. States and national and international organizations have boycotted trade and academic relations with the Jewish state and have initiated divestment campaigns. Enemies, opponents and critics—some of whom are Jews and Israelis—portray Israel as the world’s worst violator of human rights, UN resolutions and international law. Israel’s policies toward the Palestinians are often