War of Words: Crush the Anti-Israel Lies

Dialogue or Hate Speech? Time to Stand Up for Israel

Communication is the lifeblood of any society—it’s how people share truth, build understanding, and resolve conflict. By definition, communication is the exchange of information with the aim of achieving mutual understanding. But what happens when that exchange is hijacked by lies, hate, and propaganda? What happens when one side speaks facts and the other shouts slurs?

This is exactly where we are today in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas—a conflict rooted in decades of silence, distortion, and incitement. The brutal October 7th attacks were not born in a vacuum. They are the bitter fruit of years of false narratives, historical revisionism, and a total breakdown in constructive dialogue.

Let’s be honest: the path taken by Egyptian-born terrorist leader Yasser Arafat has led to a culture of victimhood weaponized against Israel. Global sympathy has been hijacked by those who shout the loudest, regardless of truth. The result? Israel is blamed for defending itself while terrorism is excused under the guise of “resistance.”

Israelis have made groundbreaking contributions to the world—Nobel Prizes, medical innovations, high-tech revolutions, agricultural miracles. Yet, when it comes to public diplomacy and online presence, Israelis have been left behind. While Israel builds, creates, and saves lives, its enemies spread lies with ruthless efficiency. The digital battlefield is being lost not because the truth is lacking, but because the messengers are fragmented, distracted by ego and division.

I see this same problem here in the Netherlands. Try organizing a pro-Israel event, and you’re met not only with opposition from the outside—but infighting from within. Big organizations can’t set aside religious or political differences. The result? Paralysis. Meanwhile, our opponents are united under one goal: delegitimizing Israel at all costs.

What can we learn from them? Simple: unity. Set aside the differences. Focus on one goal—supporting the Jewish state. Because if we don’t, who will?

On April 28, 2025, my organization Time to Stand Up for Israel held an event at Dam Square in Amsterdam. Due to a logistical mix-up (my own fault), I arrived hours early. Alone in the middle of the square—Amsterdam’s heart, but also a known hotspot of antisemitism—I found myself guarding the flags and materials. What followed was a painful but revealing glimpse into the mindset of Israel’s enemies.

Groups of young pro-Hamas agitators passed by. What they had in common? A poor command of facts, limited language skills, and an aggressive hatred for Israel. “Baby killers,” “terrorist state,” and other vulgar slogans were shouted at me. Still alone, I tried to open a dialogue: “Guys, stop swearing. Let’s talk like normal people.” But reason was met with rage.

They spat on the Israeli flag, tried to grab it, swore, and walked away. This happened not once, but five times. Then came a young man who tried to snatch the flag out of my hands. I stood my ground: “Shout all you want, but you stay away from my property.” He responded with veiled threats—pulling his hoodie up, covering his face, and telling me I “must die.” Legally, perhaps not a formal threat. But the intent was clear. I wasn’t afraid—but I was alert. I took his picture and called the police. To their credit, they arrived quickly and from that moment, order returned.

But the question haunts me: If meaningful conversation is impossible on one small square in Amsterdam, how can we expect dialogue to work between Israel and Hamas?

We must also recognize a critical point often overlooked by Western media: many Arab leaders speak the language of peace to international audiences while preaching hate and martyrdom in Arabic to their own people. That’s not diplomacy. That’s deception. And it’s part of the problem.

We all learned in school that “you cannot not communicate.” Even silence sends a message. And the message we’re getting from the other side is clear: they do not want peace. They want destruction.

Israel has now issued an ultimatum to Hamas: come forward with a deal within two weeks, or lose your chance forever. And can you blame them? How long is Israel expected to wait? How many more rockets, hostages, and murdered civilians will it take before the world realizes that silence isn’t neutrality—it’s complicity?

The time for excuses is over. The time for standing with Israel is now. That means more than waving flags—it means unity, courage, and truth. Because without honest communication, there is no peace. And without truth, there can be no justice.