As you all know by now, Israel is at war. At the moment, there are talks of a cease fire, and yet rockets are still flying in both directions. People are still dying. Children are still missing school. Families are still hiding out in bomb shelters.
People there, naturally, feel helpless. People geographically further away, paradoxically, feel equally as helpless—possibly even more so. People on the other side of the world rely on the media to find out what’s happening—when there’s a siren, when a rocket falls, casualties, damages, and retaliations.
Social media is playing a huge part in this campaign—for both Hamas, the IDF, and people across the world desperate to hear word from Israel. Regardless of who it is, people are turning to Twitter and other social media platforms to let their voices (opinionated voices, bias voices, bellicose voices, and objective voices) be heard.
The war is literally taken to Twitter—for every rocket there are thousands of Tweets and conversations. However, besides for the trending hashtags and online responses, the IDF and Hamas are literally having it out in 140 characters at a time:
In the past, Israel has largely left the coverage of its military campaigns up to the world media, leaving the door open for skewed media portrayal and biased reports. Perhaps the bungled treatment of Israel in the international press has finally led Israel to take matters into its own hands?
In an article published in the Times of Israel last week, I wrote that the Israel Defense Force has become the first state army in history to tweet its military campaign. On a platform that has rapidly been becoming the conduit for a huge variety of conversations – ranging from the most mundane to major international developments (think Arab Spring) – Israel announced its latest military campaign earlier yesterday, moments after taking out Hamas Military Chief Ahmed Jabari in Gaza.
Immediately upon the initial raid, IDF spokesperson Avital Leibovich tweeted the following:
It was not until an hour after this tweet that the IDF posted a press release on their website regarding the military campaign, dubbed “Amud Anan” or “#PillarofDefense.” In what was perhaps the most striking tweet thus far (pun intended), the IDF posted the following:
The IDF is covering its own campaign moreefficiently than any other media outlet will be able to. Alongside up-to-the- minute tweets, the IDF is live-blogging the Gaza attacks, offering more details than the 140-character Tweet limit. Those eager for the most up-to-date developments will likely be turning to the tweets sent out by the IDF, allowing news junkies the opportunity to first take a look at matters from the Israeli side before later taking into account the spin that major news outlets will place on the latest updates.
When a government takes responsibility for the way its military moves are portrayed in the media, the international audience is afforded the equivalent of a play-by-play of history in the making.
But that’s not really the point I want to make here. My point is about YOU, the student body. I see many of you have been sharing statuses, pictures, info graphics, and tweeting. I want to let you know that you’re making a difference: people are listening to you. I know you may not believe me, I don’t even believe myself sometimes, but I’d like to share the following Twitter exchange with you to show you why each of us matters.
On November 15, a Palestinian in Gaza City who has been live Tweeting the entire war, Ahmed El-Farra, tweeted “#PrayforGaza we don’t need your prayers and I mean it. And we don’t need your actions. We don’t need anything. #Gaza”
Now, as a Jew who believes in the power of prayer, I was intrigued. My curiosity got the better of me and I replied: Why do you say that?
Here’s what happened:
He favorited that Tweet and we’ve been following each other ever since. I personally learned something valuable from that exchange. I learned that not only do we all have voices, but our voices can be heard in different ways—either through prayer OR through influencing policy. Ahmed in Gaza helped me realize that and for that I am forever grateful.
With that new attitude ion mind, I took to tweeting and writing about #PillarofDefense ever since.
I’m not the only student though who has been using my voice to influence change. At IDC Herzeliya for instance, they created a Red Room Cause called Israel Under Fire! Many of you have Liked in on Facebook and shared their info graphics and photos. They have been sharing the truth with the world using nothing byut their keyboards and their voice.
And you know what? Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu video chatted them all personally yesterday to thank them for using their voice to influence change.
The Shimra Project is another such cause. It is a grassroots program that pairs individuals worldwide with an Israeli soldier or resident in danger, By doing acts of kindness, prayer, and learning Torah in their name it con contributes to the safety of the soldier or citizen in danger. All that is required in your name and email address. It was started by people who, like us, wanted to do something to help but didn’t know how to make their voices heard. They chose both prayer and influencing social action.
Regardless of how these people are letting their voices be heard, they all have one thing in common: the internet and social media. It is such a powerful tool—even the IDF recognizes that. Anyone can use it to make a difference.
I know you’re thinking what can I do, I’m just a college student. You know what? You’re a COLLEGE student! You’re one of the most powerful demographics in the world.
Go to a rally, take up tweeting, keep sharing pictures and statuses on Facebook/Instagram/ Tumblr.
Be active. Let your voice be heard and influence change.
Am Yisrael Chai!