Prof. Gabi Weiman, a researcher of terrorism, violence and media in Haifa University, gives Hamas high marks for psychological warfare in its video of Gilad Shalit – but notes that the test of Israel’s leadership is whether it can wage cool-headed negotiations despite the emotions aroused by the video.
Writing in the Yisrael HaYom (Israel Today) daily free newspaper, which has become Israel’s second most widely-read daily, Prof. Weiman says that the video of captive IDF soldier Gilad Shalit released a few days ago was “meticulously planned, from the script read aloud by Gilad, to his uniform and haircut, and including every word and gesture.”
“This is not the first time that Hamas has made use of emotions and psychological manipulations in order to set off events and processes to serve its interests. Hamas is doing this in order to accelerate the negotiations with Israel for Shalit’s release, improve its negotiating positions, and broadcast a message of tolerance and moderation to the entire world.”
Hamas-affiliated terrorists captured Shalit, then nearly 20 years old, in June 2006. They have long demanded the release of approximately 1,000 Arab terrorists - including many murderers - imprisoned in Israeli jails.
“The great excitement that overtook us [the Israeli public] at the prospect of seeing a video of Gilad,” Weiman wrote, “well serves the cynical interests of Hamas. They did not release the video in order to gladden our hearts, but simply like a PR man trying to rack up public pressure on Israel’s decision makers.”
After praising Gilad’s parents for the dignified and persistent manner in which they are waging the struggle for their son’s release, Weiman concludes, “The true test is not that of the parents. It is rather, as in every conflict on the psychological warfare front, a test of our political leadership: Will it know not to cave in to emotional tricks, and to wage the negotiations and make compromises rationally and responsibly?”
Gilad’s father Noam departed Wednesday for France, where he will meet with advisors to French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The Shalit family has French citizenship. Noam Shalit has acknowledged that he does not envision a quick release for his son.