If I were an imperial narrative manager trying to help regain control of the Israel narrative, I would employ such validate-and-divert tactics. I would not try to dismiss people's concerns about the oppression and murder of Palestinians, I would validate those concerns. I would get on their side. I would insert myself into the conversation by condemning Israeli apartheid abuses and calling for Palestinian freedom. And then, once I was a part of the conversation, I would begin working to make the conversation about anti-semitism instead.

It wouldn't take much. Just a step back from my Palestine advocacy to say "Oh, hang on, this rise in anti-semitism is very concerning, can we pause and fix this please?" And just like that I've knocked a lot of the momentum off of the movement and taken the conversation in a very different direction that will never reach any kind of resolution.

Reading by Tim Foley.

Article with links and sources: https://caitlinjohnstone.substack.com/p/how-to-sabotage-the-pro-palestine

Featured image via Tony Felgueiras, Creative Commons 2.0 https://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyfelgueiras/6988206992/