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Psychological warfare is a touchy subject in western democratic
societies. It raises the spectre of Nazism and totalitarian methods
of mind control, yet provides an explanation for the spectacular
success of the Palestinians in their fight against Israel, and their
ability to exert political pressure on this regional power.
… This is the first book of its kind on PSYOP (psychological
operations – military actions designed to influence the perceptions
and attitudes of individuals, groups and foreign governments) in
Middle East research. It provides a much needed in-depth analysis
of the techniques used by both the Israelis and the Palestinians.
The volume clarifies the rationales for psychological warfare in
the Israeli–Palestinian conflict from 1948 to 1991, examines
the development of concepts of offensive and defensive psychological
warfare as developed by the Nazis and the Soviets, as well as US
and British tactics of persuasion, and the ways the main actors
have adapted these tactics to the specifics of the Intifada.
… Close attention is paid to the formulation and dissemination
of Palestinian psychological themes directed at the Arab world,
neutral parties and the enemy, and official Israeli (largely unsuccessful)
attempts to counter them, including official government stances
and directives to the Israeli Defense Forces. The Intifada, conducted
under media scrutiny, resulted in a total re-examination of Israeli
military strategies, which has important bearing for the future
conduct of armies fighting local insurgency, most recently the US
Iraq experience. This book is essential reading for all involved
in Media Studies and Military Strategy.
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List of Illustrations
List of Abbreviations
Preface and Acknowledgments
Introduction: The Intifada Phenomenon
1 Defining Political Warfare: Propaganda, Terror
and Insurgency
2 PSYOP and its Implementation in the Intifada: SCAME – Source,
Content, Audience, Media, Effects
3 The Palestinian Political Struggle: Ideology, Semantics,
Islam, and the Social Structure of the Movement
4 Political Warfare Themes: Different Perceptions of Historical
Experience
5 Foreign Media in the Territories: Palestinian Strategies
6 The Palestinian Information System: Journalism and Radio
7 The Israeli Information System: The Government Press Office
and the Foreign Ministry
8 IDF Preparations for Political Warfare: Themes, Tradition
and Initiatives
9 Strategy and Tactics in the Conduct of the Intifada: Tools
of Dissemination
10 Lessons Learned, Initiatives Foregone: Fundamental Requirements
for Political Warfare
Appendix of Documents
Notes
Sources and Bibliography
Index
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| “Here is a thoughtful
book concerned with the relationships among the media, the
military, and policy makers. Schleifer examines the first
intifada that began in 1987 and ended in 1993 when Israel
granted limited authority to the Palestine National Authority.
He correctly claims this to be the first book of its kind
detailing how both the Israelis and the Palestinians used
psychological operations (PSYOPS) ‘designed to influence
the perceptions and attitudes of individuals, groups and foreign
governments.’ This approach is quite different from
the media and communication approaches found in most of the
academic literature, such as Jim Lederman’s Battle
Lines: The American Media and the Intifada (Westview
Press, reprinted 1993). Among its many themes, the book contextualizes
the Arab-Israeli conflict; details how both Israel and the
Palestinians drew from an American PSYOPS manual and identifies
the PSYOP themes used by both sides; and finally in the last
chapter offers a hindsight evaluation of the strengths and
weaknesses of each party. Recommended.” Choice
“Ron Schleifer provides valuable insights into
the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians with lessons
for students of strategy and counterinsurgency applicable
to current operations in the Middle East… Israeli themes
were fewer in number and less novel than the Palestinian,
mainly because the Israeli information officials saw the Intifida
as a continuation of past hostilities. The Israelis stressed
the historical context of the struggle, pointing out that
Israel is a democracy with impressive achievements in culture,
technology, and society. At the same time, Israeli information
attacked the duplicitous, evil, and violent Palestinians as
well as the world media, whose highly critical coverage of
the Intifida was unprecedented in Israeli history.
… Palestinian themes were more diverse and numerous.
Targeting the home audience, they focused on mobilizing Palestinian
society and consolidating support for the battle, which Schleifer
organizes into conscription, dedication, and hate themes.
Toward ‘neutral’ countries, they used themes to
‘blacken’ Israel, to call for justice, and to
further ad hoc political proposals. Two kinds of themes targeted
the Israeli audience, largely divided between the army and
society as a whole, which was further split as to how to deal
with the situation.” Defense Intelligence Journal
“In this study, Ron Schleifer examines the nature
of psychological operations (PSYOPS) in the Arab–Israeli
conflict and looks at how they were applied during the first
Intifada (1987–1993). He explores the ways in which
the Palestinians were able to use the media’s attention
to disseminate psychological themes that invariably shaped
opinions in Arab countries, Israel, and the rest of the world.
Noting that the success of Palestinian PSYOPS during the uprising
led the Israeli military to re-examine many of its strategies,
Dr. Schleifer concludes that a comprehensive understanding
of the efficacy of psychological warfare will be critical
for all armies fighting future insurgencies.” Middle
East Journal
“Psychological Warfare and the Intifada
is as much a discussion of military tactics and strategies
as it is a study of the first Initifada. At times, especially
early on, it feels as though he is using the Intifada solely
as a case study of psychological warfare/operations (PSYOPS).
While this might be perceived as a shortcoming or narrowness
of vision, it is rather a point in his favor. His approach
sheds light on an area every bit as relevant to the present,
though little discussed by more traditional historians and
political scientists — the role of infor¬mation,
and to a lesser extent, the media, in determining the outcome
of violent conflicts. His dogged study of PSYOPS leads Dr.
Schleifer to conclude that the Palestinians, especially the
PLO, emerged from the Intifada stronger because they knew
more about Israeli and western culture than vice-versa. Such
specific, relevant knowledge allowed the Palestinians to form
and project a message that would better affect public opinion,
which in turn acted as a massive force-multiplier.”
Digest of Middle East Studies |
Publication Details
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Hardback ISBN: |
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978-1-84519-134-4 |
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Paperback ISBN: |
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978-1-84519-135-1 |
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Page Extent / Format: |
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272 pp. / 229 x 152 mm |
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Release Date: |
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September 2006 |
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Illustrated: |
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Illustrated throughout with
pictures of the Intifada and facsimile documents |
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Hardback Price: |
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£55.00 / $69.50 |
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Paperback Price: |
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£16.95 / $32.50 |
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| This book can be ordered
online or by telephone. |
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For the UK and Rest of
the World:
Gazelle Book Services
tel. 44 (0)1524-68765 |
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For the United
States:
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tel. (1) 503 287-3093 or (800) 944-6190 |
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For Canada:
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tel. (1) 800-565-9523 |
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