Israel, Hamas online war has limited impact on opinion

Significance

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu suggested that Israel could seek to take the PA to the ICC over its reconciliation agreement with the "war criminals" of Hamas. Alongside the diplomatic stage, Israel and the Palestinians are increasingly playing out their battle for international legitimacy on the internet. This confrontation escalated during the conflict between Israel and Hamas in July and August 2014, with both sides and their supporters investing heavily in social media efforts to disseminate their messages and win support for their narratives.

Impacts

• Israel's slick English-language social media operations will ensure its message is frequently picked up in the Western media.
• However, Hamas's social media emphasis on civilian casualties will also resonate increasingly widely in Western media.
• As bilateral relations with the EU deteriorate, Israel will step up its efforts on European social media platforms to boost its legitimacy.