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Telling Israel's Story Amidst Disinformation, Bias & Irrational Hatred
Lecture Breakdown
Duration: 75-90 minutes
Israel, Jews, News & Views
Telling Israel’s Story Today is a Challenge, But it’s Possible With Authenticity, the Human Element & a Relatable Voice That Resonates & Connects.
Part 1: Personal Stories as Powerful Narratives
A Story of Those Left Behind - The Making of "Garden of Life"
​Gary takes you behind the scenes of his latest documentary, Garden of Life. The film follows the families. friends and tight knit community, of Moshav Gan Haim, after best friends from the Moshav, May Naim & Lotan Abir were brutally murdered at the Nova Festival on October 7th.
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The Complexity of Filmmaking in the Shadow of Tragedy: Gary shares the challenges and emotional complexities of following the parents, friends, and community of the victims as they navigate life after the massacre. He talks about how focusing on the stories of two victims, and those they left behind, as a more effective means of conveying Israel’s experience and collective trauma to international audiences, rather than attempting to encapsulate the entirety of the national tragedy involving more than 1,200 victims.
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A Microcosm of Israel: Set in the close-knit community of Gan Haim, the moshav serves as a powerful microcosm of Israel itself, small, intimate, where everyone knows everyone, and all are affected by events. The story of Gan Haim is in essence th tory of Israel.
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Engaging International Audiences: Gary highlights the power of personal stories to break through international misconceptions, and how intimate human narratives resonate far more than facts, or ideological point scoring, making Israel’s story more relatable to audiences abroad.​
Part 2: How Israel is Perceived Abroad - The Challenge of Perception
Countering Disinformation and Antisemitism
Gary delves into the global reaction to the October 7th massacre and the subsequent war in Gaza, Lebanon and farther afield. He examines the reasons behind the rapid rise in antisemitism and anti-Zionism across the world, and why Israel has been painted as the aggressor, despite being under attack on multiple fronts.
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Why the Lack of Empathy for Israel? How has the biggest slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust been met with an alarming rise in antisemitism rather than empathy and support. As it fights a war of survival against terrorist organizations intent on its destruction, why are Israel’s defensive actions portrayed as aggression.
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The Campaign to Demonize and Delegitimize Israel: Insight into the well-organized and well-funded campaign to demonize a delegitimize Israel. From university campuses and street protests to social media, Gary unpacks how these efforts have succeeded in shaping public opinion, fuelling an alarming growth in anti-Semitism.
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How to Engage in Conversations About Israel: Gary offers practical advice on how to counter misinformation and answer difficult questions about Israel’s actions. Whether you are speaking with work colleagues, engaging in campus discussions, or explaining the situation to friends abroad, this lecture will help you present Israel’s story with more confidence.
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Using Storytelling to Change Perceptions: Facts and figures alone are not enough to challenge entrenched misconceptions. Gary emphasizes the importance of storytelling and using authentic personal stories to create understanding and empathy. He explains how anyone, even those who do not consider themselves advocates for Israel, can use personal narratives to engage in meaningful conversations, counter false narratives, and more accurately convey what life is really like in Israel today.
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Q&A...
Take Aways
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Human Stories Build Connection: When we tell Israel’s story through real, human experiences, people can relate on a personal level. By focusing on individuals and communities, we allow audiences to see beyond politics, fostering genuine empathy and understanding.
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Authenticity Inspires Trust: People respond to stories that feel real and sincere. Authenticity in storytelling invites trust and allows the message to cut through bias and noise, giving audiences a grounded, relatable perspective on Israel’s reality.
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Relatable Narratives Encourage Identification: Stories that speak to universal experiences—hope, loss, resilience— allow audiences to identify with characters and situations, regardless of cultural or political differences. This relatability helps Israel’s story resonate and stick with people in a meaningful way.
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Commitment to Truth and Transparency: In an era of misinformation, staying true to facts and sharing transparent stories is essential. When people sense a commitment to truth, they are more willing to listen, engage, and consider new perspectives on Israel’s challenges and strengths.
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Who Should Attend?
This lecture is perfect for...​
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Professionals: Those working in international environments who may feel awkward, experience difficulty, or who simply want more confidence and that ability to engage more effectively, when confronted by, or just speaking with international colleagues, associates, or clients, on Israel-related topics.
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Students & Academics: For those looking to counter bias in educational institutions and better understand how to advocate for Israel in academic settings.
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Anyone Engaged in Public Discourse: Whoever you are talking to, friends, family, complete strangers or on social media, you will receive valuable tools and insights on how to effectively communicate and engage on all things Israel.