Advertisements with pro-Israeli content get ample job on the internet. Experts see that videos with selective framing are trying to send the public debate, although they just seem to stay within Google’s advertising rules.
Images of attacks by Hamas on Israelis, supported with exciting music and flashy lyrics in which things like: “They are still armed, they are still a second distance from your children, the threat is real and now present”. This kind of videos are served via the Google advertising platform to people who are on their phone.
“Why do I get to see this on the Quizlet learning platform?”, Someone wonders under a video on YouTube. Another came across the video on a fitness app and someone else met the video in an app for children. Nu.nl readers also reported it.
Via Googles Advertising Center for Transparency can be seen that the video comes from the Israeli Government Advertising Agency. This organization manages a few hundred these types of advertisements in different languages. The message always comes down to the same thing: Israel is an innocent victim of extreme violence by Hamas.
‘Complaints are part of the government agenda’
It seems strange to suddenly see such an advertisement. But there is a thought behind it, says Erwin van Veen, Middle East expert from the Clingendael Institute. “By placing these images in addition to an advertisement for a vacuum cleaner or carglass, forthnia matters are drawn to the same level,” he explains. “That makes it easier for the viewer to absorb the message uncritically.”
According to Fabio Cristiano, the videos are part of the Israeli government agenda. Cristiano is conducting research at Utrecht University into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and specializes in disinformation. “The films aim to steer the international opinion,” he says. That has been such an important part of the public diplomacy for years that it has received its own term: Hasbara .
This year, the Israeli government is spending $ 150 million on pro-Israeli reporting. According to The Times of Israel, that is twenty times more than in recent years due to the war in Gaza.
Van Veen sees that the advertisement omits important information and that information is incorrect. “Hamas is put away as ruthless terrorists who have provided it with children,” he says. “Don’t get me wrong: Hamas is also dangerous. But in the core it is a resistance movement whose military branch carries out terrorist attacks at times. The video uses an extremely selective framing, in which occupation, violence and humiliations are completely omitted by Israel.”
Who is the responsibility with?
Google has a list of themes on its website that do not meet its advertising policy. For example, you are not allowed to spread hatred or discrimination. The same applies to animal suffering and sensitive events.
“This kind of videos are quite handy to stay within the borders,” says Van Veen. “The question then is how much responsibility tech platforms have for the content of these types of advertisements. That is a long -term discussion that is still being held.”
A Google spokesperson told NU.nl that the advertisement mentioned at the top of this article violates the policy on shocking content. That is why the advertisement has been removed from the platform. Although the advertising data is indeed no longer online, the YouTube video used for advertising still works.
Dozens of advertisements from the Israeli Government Advertising Agency are still online. Google says that advertisements will be removed immediately if they do not comply with the rules and to consistently maintain the policy. “We have blocked advertisements regarding this conflict when they exceeded the border and violated this policy.”
Google also achieved a number of Israeli advertisements offline in the past. In October 2023, thirty were already removed after research by Politico showed that they contain images of violence. Google also received criticism after shocking images ended up in apps for children. And in May 2021 YouTube removed an advertisement in which the bombing of Gaza was justified.
Israel gets more freedom online
Cristiano says that there is a responsibility for digital platforms. “We now know which immense influence platforms such as YouTube have on the public debate,” he says.
“The videos may not break the rules, but it is known that Israeli messages are often rated less strictly than Palestinian. That is a geopolitical consideration: Israel is seen as an ally in the West.”
The researcher also criticizes the lack of transparency. According to him, it is not always clear enough for the advertisements where they come from. “Channels such as Al Jazeera or Russian channels, for example, are labeled by YouTube,” he says. “But with videos from Israel or the US that is not the case.”
Advertisements with Pro-Israeli Content are Given Free Rein on the Internet. Experts see that videos with selective framing try to steer the public debate, altheoth they seem to remain just within google’s advertising rules.
Images of Hamas Attacks on Israelis, supported by exciting music and flashing Texts Stating Things Like: “They are still armed, they are still seconds away from your children, the threat is real and present now.” These types of Videos are served via Google’s Advertising Platform to People On Their Phones.
“Why Am I Seeing This On The Learning Platform Quizlet ?” Someone Asks Under A Video on YouTube. Another Encountered the Video on a Fitness app, and Someone Else Found the Video in An app for children. Nu.nl readers also reported it.
Google’s advertising transparency center shows that the video comes from the Israeli Government Advertising Agency. This Organization Manages A Few Hundred Of Thesis Types of Advertisements in Different Languages. The Message is Always The Same: Israel is an Innocent Victim of Extreme Violence by Hamas.
‘Advertisements are part of government agenda’
It Seems Strange to Suddenly See Such An Advertisement. But there is a though Behind It, Says Erwin van Veen, Middle East Expert at the Clingendael Institute. “By placing thesis images next to an advertisement for a vacuum cleaner or carglass, dissimilar things are placed on the same level,” he explains. “That makes it easy for the viewer to Absorb the message uncritically.”
Accordance to Fabio Cristiano, The Videos Are Part of the Israeli Government Agenda. Cristiano Researches The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict at Utrecht University and Specializes in Disinformation. “The Videos Aim to Steer International Opinion,” He says. This has bone such an important part of public diplomacy for years that it has given its own term: hasbara .
The Israeli Government is Spending $ 150 Million on Pro-Israeli Reporting this year. Accordance to the times of Israel , This is Twenty Times More than in recent years due to the war in Gaza.
Van Veen sees that the advertisement Omits Important Information and That Information is incorrect. “Hamas is portrayed as ruthless terrorists who are targeting children,” he says. “Don’t get me Wrong: Hamas is also dangerous. But at its core, it is a resistance movement whose military wing carries out terrorist attacks from time to time. The video uses extremely selective framing, in which occupation, violination and humiliation and humiliation.”
Who is responsions?
Google has a list on its website of topics that do not comply with its advertising policies. For example, you may not spread hate or discrimination. The Same Applies to Animal Suffering and Sensitive Events.
“These types of Videos are QUITE CLEVER at Staying Just Within the Boundaries,” Says van Veen. “The Question then is how much responsibility tech platforms have for the content of these types of advertisements. That is a long-running discussion that is still being hero.”
A Google Spokesperson Tells Nu.nl That the Advertisement MENTIONED AT THE TOP OF THIS ARTICLE VIOLATES THE POLICY ON SHOCKING CONTENT. That is why the advertisement has leg removed from the platform. Althegh the Advertisement Data is Indeed No Longer Online, The Youtube Video Used For The Advertisement Still Works.
Boxes of Advertisements from the Israeli Government Advertising Agency Are Still Online. Google Says That Advertisements Are Immediately Removed If they do not comply with the rules and that the policy is consistently enforced. “We have blocked ads relationship to this conflict when they crossed the line and violated this policy.”
Google has also tasks a number or Israeli advertisements offline in the past. In October 2023, Thirty Were Removed After Research By Politico Showed that They Contained Images Of Violence. Google also Received criticism after shocking images ended up in apps for children. And in May 2021, YouTube removed an advertisement that justified the bombing of gaza.
Israel Gets More Freedom Online
Cristiano Says That Digital Platforms Have A Responsibility. “We now know what an immense influence platforms like youtube have on the public debate,” he says.
“The Videos May not Violate the Rules, but it is Known That Israeli Messages Are Often Assessed Less Strictly than Palestinian Ones. That is a Geopolitical Consideration: Israel is Seen An Ally in the West.”
The Researcher also Criticizes the Lack of Transparency. Accordance to him, it is not always clear enough where the advertisements come from. “Channels such as al jazeera or russian channels are labeled by YouTube, for example,” he says. “But that is not the case with videos from Israel or the US.”