Forget Greta; The Gaza Flotilla Story is Much Bigger

For a moment, it seemed that might be enough. Whether due to widespread fatigue in Europe with the young climate activist, or the transparent PR nature of the voyage and its preordained outcome, or the IDF’s effective neutralization of the incident—it briefly appeared that Israel had the upper hand. 

The Refusal to be Deported was Expected 

But then came the deportation process, and once again the narrative flipped. While Greta is already back in Europe after signing her deportation papers—along with four other members of the delegation—eight others, including outspoken anti-Israel French member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan, who was previously deported from Israel, refused to sign. 

Those who declined deportation, including Hassan, were placed in custody for 96 hours at the Givon detention facility for illegal entrants. After that period, they can be deported with or without their consent. Yet these four days of detention are more than just a bureaucratic matter—they are being used as a political stage. 

Over the course of these 96 hours, under the gaze of cameras and with the backing of anti-Israel propaganda networks, Hassan is transforming herself into a martyr, a victim of the "occupation" and a "colonial system of oppression." She knows exactly what she’s doing. Every hour at Givon is another opportunity to generate headlines, attract sympathy and spin a narrative that Israel has long struggled to counter. 

Refusing to sign the deportation order isn’t a principled stand—it’s a calculated tactic designed to provoke another confrontation, to generate that “winning” image of forced deportation or allegedly inhumane treatment. For her, every additional day in custody is valuable currency on social media. 

One example: Hassan posted on her X account, “We need your help in widely sharing this post by tagging the heads of state of team members, demanding their immediate release. Call on the relevant authorities to demand the immediate release of the entire team from Israel.” This, from a European lawmaker who fully understands she is not being forcibly held—and who has personally refused to leave. 

Time for a More Assertive Israeli Media Strategy 

This is precisely where Israel’s public diplomacy efforts must ramp up. Not just by issuing delayed responses or publishing good images after the narrative has already been shaped—but by leading the conversation. Because this incident is far from over. Without a timely, strategic, visually driven response—especially one that leverages Instagram, TikTok, and X—Israel is poised to lose the battle for public opinion once again, despite having all the tools to win it this time. 

It's essential to recognize: social media is not just another platform—it is today’s primary battlefield. What happens online right now carries more weight than any court ruling in The Hague or press briefing in Jerusalem. Virality trumps facts, and a single manipulative hashtag can erase days of carefully crafted messaging. It’s time to understand the new rules—and play by them. 

Let’s say it plainly: part of the problem is that official Israel still acts as if it’s playing chess, while its adversaries are fighting in an MMA [mixed martial arts] ring. No rules, no red lines and one clear goal—to take Israel down in the court of global public opinion. 

This gap between a measured response and a chaotic reality continues to hurt Israel. When Hassan posts a photo from the detention center, it will reach millions instantly. When Israel publishes a clarification or a photo from the same facility, it might—at best—reach the IDF spokesperson’s Twitter feed. That’s not enough. It doesn’t work. 

The Solution: a Content Army and an Aggressive Media Front 

If Israel wants to change the game, it must create a dedicated digital diplomacy unit that operates in real time, around the clock—not just with multilingual spokespeople, but with a full “army” of content creators, video editors, and social media experts who understand each platform and know how to reach audiences in Europe and the US in ways that actually resonate. 

Short videos, focused infographics, eyewitness accounts—everything needed to fight for public opinion where it’s actually being shaped. Yes, it’s that urgent and that important. Because public perception ultimately drives policy—and influences it. In an era where the battle for legitimacy is just as crucial as the one on the ground, public diplomacy must operate like a full-scale military campaign. 

Right now, it appears Israel is simply asleep at the wheel.