What's Happening?
Following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the United Nations in September, an Israeli government website documenting the atrocities of the Hamas-led October 7 attacks experienced a significant increase in traffic. According to data released
by the Prime Minister's Office, more than 3.5 million people visited the site in the four months following the speech. The website, part of Israel's global public diplomacy campaign, was promoted during Netanyahu's speech through a QR code pinned to his lapel. This code linked to the 'atrocity site,' which was accessible only outside of Israel. The data revealed that approximately 1.7 million of the visitors were first-time users, generating a total of 51 million page views. The average visit lasted 3 minutes and 40 seconds, with users viewing about 14 pages each. The United States accounted for 185,000 of these visits, while other significant traffic came from Brazil, Italy, China, and Germany.
Why It's Important?
The surge in website visits highlights the global interest and concern regarding the October 7 attacks and Israel's efforts to document and publicize these events. This increase in traffic underscores the effectiveness of Netanyahu's UN speech in drawing international attention to the issue. The data also reflects the broader geopolitical interest in the conflict, with significant engagement from countries like the United States and Brazil. The involvement of countries with restricted internet access, such as Iran and North Korea, further emphasizes the global reach and impact of the campaign. This development is crucial for Israel's public diplomacy efforts, as it seeks to shape international perceptions and garner support in the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
What's Next?
The release of this data may prompt further analysis and investigation into the effectiveness of Israel's public diplomacy strategies. Attorney Yaara Winkler-Shalit from the Movement for Freedom of Information has raised questions about the classification of some countries under 'Other' and the sharp differences in viewership before and after Netanyahu's speech. These issues may lead to calls for greater transparency and accountability in how the data is collected and presented. Additionally, the Israeli government may continue to leverage digital platforms and international forums to maintain and increase global awareness and support for its position in the conflict.
