Israel running YouTube ad to build war support

Users argued the clip violates the platform’s policies on hate speech and violence. (AFP/File)
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Updated 09 October 2023
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Israel running YouTube ad to build war support

  • Clip denouncing Hamas’ ‘barbaric terrorists’ sparks debate over propaganda

LONDON: Israel is running a YouTube advertisement to build international support for its war with Hamas, Al Arabiya reported on Monday.

The ad, titled “Hamas Declared War Against Israel,” was published by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs using a simple voiceover with text in English, asking for support from the audience.

It warned that Tel Aviv will take all necessary measures to protect its citizens against “barbaric terrorists.”

The ad has sparked a debate on social media, with some users calling it “propaganda” and others defending Israel’s right to self-defense.

“Israel launched a bizarre propaganda campaign to rally public support for its war against Palestine following yesterday’s bloody offensive,” said one account.

 

Some have also criticized YouTube for approving the ad, arguing that the clip violates the platform’s policies on hate speech and violence.

One user said that the ad was “funded by the state of Israel and clearly intended to justify a major escalation of the war to a Western audience.”

Another asked: “How is it not getting banned?”

 

On Saturday, conflict erupted between Israel and Hamas after the Palestinian group launched a major strike from the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by declaring his country at war with Hamas and calling up 300,000 army reservists in preparation for a blockade of Gaza.

Since the violence erupted, more than 1,000 people have died, including foreign nationals, with hundreds held hostage and many thousands reported to have been displaced.


DCO and Arab News partner to combat digital misinformation, explore AI’s impact on media

Updated 06 February 2026
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DCO and Arab News partner to combat digital misinformation, explore AI’s impact on media

KUWAIT CITY: The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) and the international Saudi newspaper Arab News have signed a Letter of Engagement aimed at strengthening knowledge and expertise exchange on the impact of artificial intelligence in the media sector, as well as leveraging expert insights to develop best practices to combat online misinformation amid accelerating technological advancements.

DCO said this step aligned with its efforts to strengthen collaboration with international media institutions to support responsible dialogue around digital transformation and contribute to building a more reliable, inclusive, and sustainable digital media environment.

Commenting on the agreement, Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization, said: “At a moment when AI is reshaping how truth is produced, distributed, and trusted, partnership with credible media institutions is essential.”

She added that “working with Arab News allows us to bridge technology and journalism in a way that protects integrity, strengthens public trust, and elevates responsible innovation. This collaboration is about equipping media ecosystems with the tools, insight, and ethical grounding needed to navigate AI’s impact, while ensuring digital transformation serves people and their prosperity.”

Faisal J. Abbas, Editor-in-Chief of Arab News, emphasized that the partnership enhances media institutions’ ability to keep pace with technological shifts, noting that engagement with representatives of DCO Member States enables deeper understanding of emerging technologies and regulatory developments in the digital space.

He added: “DCO’s commitment to initiatives addressing online content integrity reflects a clear dedication to supporting a responsible digital environment that serves societies and strengthens trust in the digital ecosystem.”

The Letter of agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Fifth DCO General Assembly held in Kuwait City under the theme “Inclusive Prosperity in the Age of AI”, alongside the second edition of the International Digital Cooperation Forum, held from 4–5 February, which brought together ministers, policymakers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and civil society representatives from more than 60 countries to strengthen international cooperation toward a human-centric, inclusive, and sustainable digital economy.