Alerts

Hamas’s Capture of the West’s Sympathy, Attention, and Media

Palestinian masters of psychological warfare, trained by Iran and Russia
Share this
New York City demonstrators on Park Avenue with a flag showing the leaders of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the PFLP
New York City demonstrators on Park Avenue with a flag showing the leaders of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the PFLP. (X/@Breaking_4_News/Screenshot)

Table of Contents

A massive anti-Israel march took place in New York City on September 2, 2024—the day Israelis were burying the 23-year-old Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a “high-profile hostage” captured and murdered by Hamas, along with five others, just days earlier in Gaza. A dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, Hersh’s execution at the hands of Hamas provoked an outpouring of grief and rage among Americans, many of whom learned his story from his parents, Rachel and Jon, who had appeared at the Democratic National Convention just two weeks earlier.

The sight of an estimated 5,000 rioters marching across Manhattan carrying Hamas, Palestinian Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, and Hizbullah flags on Labor Day perplexed many. What could they be protesting against on a day after Hamas had murdered six Jews?

Yet, this wasn’t the first time an aggressive, in-your-face “pro-Palestinian” rally in the West followed a high-profile massacre of Jews in Israel. The first demonstrations in the immediate wake of the October 7, 2023, massacre condemned Israel and demanded sympathy and support for Gaza.

Psychological Warfare in Full Display

The timing of these rallies is hardly accidental. Psychological warfare is a crucial part of Hamas’s strategy, and it excels at it. Hamas and its supporters understand that letting the Western public dwell too long on the massacres of Jews is damaging to their cause. Among the objectives of such actions are drawing attention and public sympathy away from murdered Jews, as well as shifting the news cycle to get the world back “on track” in sympathizing with Hamas as “the resistance” to Israel and depicting Jews as the devil incarnate.

Another goal is to present Jews as the culprits for their own murders. In the wake of October 7, pro-Hamas online brigades spread a lie claiming that the IDF murdered most Israelis who perished on that day. The same lie is circulating on social media today about the six hostages. Meanwhile, on the same day that Israel was burying Goldberg-Polin, Hamas released a statement claiming it had warned the Jews not to try to free the hostages. The implication was clear: it was the Jews’ own fault their loved ones were dead.

Eden Yerushalmi before she was taken hostage and before she was executed.
Eden Yerushalmi before she was taken hostage and before she was executed.

To add another emotional blow, Hamas released a video in which the soon-to-be-slain 24-year-old Eden Yerushalmi—gaunt and with dark circles under her eyes—blamed Benjamin Netanyahu for his failure to make a deal and called on Israelis to take to the streets and demand a cease-fire.

This is classic psychological warfare. It relies on disinformation, intimidation, and emotional manipulation to undermine enemy morale, seed chaos and confusion, and deepen internal divisions. A document reportedly uncovered recently in Gaza by the IDF shows just how intentional Hamas has been with its psyops strategy. It instructs its readers to increase dissemination of hostage videos to build psychological pressure on the Israelis; to continue blaming Netanyahu; and to work to undermine Israel’s belief that the ground invasion will bring the hostages home. Hamas’s patron, Iran, is likely closely involved in this: its role in the anti-Israel protests in the United States is increasingly coming to light.

Hamas’s and Iran’s “hearts and minds” efforts are geared at Israelis, Americans, and the West, more broadly. How we collectively respond to them will determine whether we can defend our societies or not.

Izabella Tabarovsky

Senior Advisor at the Kennan Institute (Wilson Center) in Washington, Senior Fellow at the Z3 Institute for Jewish Priorities, and a Fellow at the Jerusalem Center for Foreign Affairs
Share this

Subscribe to Daily Alert

The Daily Alert – Israel news digest appears every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Related Items

Stay Informed, Always

Get the latest news, insights, and updates directly in your inbox—be the first to know!

Subscribe to Jerusalem Issue Briefs
The Daily Alert – Israel news digest appears every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Notifications

The Jerusalem Center
Canada investigating Israeli-Canadian IDF soldiers?
JCFA senior researcher, Amb. Alan Baker slams the probe as a “political PR stunt with no legal basis.” “This isn’t justice—it’s a betrayal. Canada is siding with PLO propaganda over facts.”
11:29am
The Jerusalem Center
What makes a child believe killing a #Jew is justified?

In PA textbooks, Jews are called liars and frauds; their fate: elimination. This is #indoctrination—not #education. But change is happening. On East to West, @IMPACT_SE CEO Marcus Sheff exposes how #UNRWA-funded schools are fueling extremism—and what real reform looks like.  Listen now on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2JHqh973U  Watch on YouTube: youtu.be/8OkJTGNfVUc

11:43am
The Jerusalem Center
Highlights from the @Jerusalem_Post Annual Conference in NYC:

Dr. @Dan_Diker, President of the JCFA: “October 7 wasn’t just an attack on Israel — it was a blow to the U.S. on Israeli soil. It demands moral clarity and a united front between Israel and the U.S. to defeat jihadist terror.”

2:20pm
The Jerusalem Center
@XAVIAERD says it like it is

Well, @XAVIAERD says it like it is: If you’re part of “#Queers for #Palestine,” he’ll pay for your flight to #Gaza. Go see for yourself how they treat LGBTQ+ people over there. Don’t miss this bold take on the Israel-Hamas war and the woke right.

2:32pm
The Jerusalem Center
“This isn’t Israel vs. Hamas — it’s the frontline of the free world.”

“This isn’t Israel vs. Hamas — it’s the frontline of the free world.” On Our Middle East by @JNS_org, @Dan_Diker@KhaledAbuToameh (JCFA/@GatestoneInst) break it down: If Hamas isn’t crushed, Iran wins. The jihadis—from #Gaza to your campus—get the green light. Diker: “This war is for the West.” No fluff. No filters. Just raw insight from two insiders who actually know what’s going on.  Watch: youtu.be/4Aq_zcbb4Yo

2:15pm
The Jerusalem Center
5/5 Lt. Col. Kalo on East to West with @smartinezamir:

“This operation showcases Israel’s strategic intelligence superiority both regionally and globally. It demonstrates the moral commitment to recovered soldiers and also strengthens Israel’s position with allies.” youtube.com/watch?v=nIvNNi

2:07pm
The Jerusalem Center
4/5 The operation built on intelligence gathered during the 2019 #Baumel recovery

#Mossad agents operated under cover in #Syria for years, visiting a graveyard multiple times under fire to collect remains for DNA matching. The intelligence community’s evolution combines technology, big data analysis, and human intelligence capabilities.

2:02pm
The Jerusalem Center
3/5 This recovery coincided with the release of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander

This recovery coincided with the release of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander from #Hamas in #Gaza, significantly boosting national morale amid an ongoing conflict now stretching over 18 months. The dual successes demonstrate #Israel‘s unwavering commitment to bringing all soldiers home.

1:58pm
The Jerusalem Center
2/5 The operation used the power vacuum following #Assad’s fall from #Damascus

Lt. Col. Avi Kalo, former head of IDF Prisoners & Missing Persons Division, calls it “an outstanding event that brings hope and new spirit to the people of Israel.” The operation utilized the power vacuum following #Assad‘s fall from #Damascus, allowing #Israeli intelligence to deploy ground capabilities in #Syria.

1:56pm
The Jerusalem Center
1/5 Israeli forces recovered the remains of Sergeant First Class Zvi Feldman

In an unprecedented operation, Israeli forces have recovered the remains of Sergeant First Class Zvi #Feldman, missing since the 1982 Battle of Sultan Yacoub. The complex #Mossad mission was conducted deep within #Syrian territory, 43 years after his disappearance. This follows the successful 2019 recovery of Zachary #Baumel from the same battle.

1:54pm
The Jerusalem Center
A molotov attack on a bus = a “barbecue party”?

That’s what #Palestinian kids are being taught under @UNRWA  — from grade school to graduation. This isn’t education. It’s indoctrination. Marcus Sheff of @IMPACT_SE  breaks it down with @smartinezamir

12:51pm

Close