Bar-Ilan in the Press
Voices of Authority
Through interviews, editorials, and media citations, Bar-Ilan researchers helped inform and shape the discourse about Israel’s war, both at home and in countries around the world.
Learning from Trauma
Prof. Danny Horesh, head of Bar-Ilan’s Trauma and Stress Research Laboratory, testified before the Knesset’s Education Committee on the psychological challenges faced by soldiers returning from battle and recommended interventions to ease their transition back to university life. Horesh was also quoted in the English press explaining the sense of trauma felt by Israeli civilians.
Unbreakable Bonds
Prof. Elise Brezis, a researcher in the Department of Economics and head of the Azrieli Center for Economic Policy (ACEP), emphasized the crucial role that Israel bonds can play in helping the country weather a war-related deficit increase.
Strategic Thinking
Dr. Tobi Greene and Prof. Jonathan Reinhold—lecturer and chair, respectively, of the Department of Political Studies—argued that the American experience in Iraq and Afghanistan demonstrates that regime toppling is only effective when paired with sound political goals for the day after. Dr. Greene, who is also a visiting fellow in the Middle East Centre at the London School of Economics, was also quoted discussing the UK Labour Party’s response to Israel’s war on Hamas.
The Arabic Angle
Mor Shapira, a lecturer in the Department of Arabic and a researcher at the Mamari Institute for the Study of Arab Media in the Middle East, discussed the impact of the Hezbollah-aligned Lebanese news outlet Al Mayadeen on Israeli Arabs’ opinion of their country’s war on Hamas. She also discussed the increased interest among Israeli Jews in learning Arabic since October 7th.
End Game
At the end of January, Prof. Yedidia Z. Stern of the Faculty of Law, assessed the likelihood that Israel would continue its war against Hamas in light of pressure from within and without to accept a hostage deal. In December, he urged Israel’s Supreme Court not to present its ruling on the controversial “reasonableness clause” during wartime, arguing that it could jeopardize the unity of the nation.
Battle Perspectives
Prof. Jonathan Reinhold, chair of the Department of Political Studies, argued that Operation Swords of Iron is Israel’s most perilous war since 1973, and also discussed the likely outcomes of an all-out war with Hezbollah. In the Hebrew press, he explained why Ireland refuses to condemn Hamas and that Americans view Israel’s war as a battle for the values of a free society.
Life After Captivity
Prof. Rivka Tuval-Mashiach, lecturer in the Department of Psychology and head of the community services unit at NATAL-The Israel Trauma and Resiliency Centre, explained the long-term effects of captivity on children held hostage by Hamas. She also explained why Israeli civilians not directly affected by the atrocities of October 7th may still suffer from forms of PTSD, and the challenges faced by reservist soldiers attempting to readjust to civilian life.
Tunnelling Down
Prof. Joel Roskin, a geomorphologist and geologist in the Department of Environment, Planning and Sustainability, explained the construction and design of Hamas’ underground tunnel network as well as possible IDF plans for its destruction.
Prof. Eitan Shamir, director of the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies (BESA), outlined the military and physical difficulties involved in demolishing the Hamas tunnel network. He also discussed the state of Israel’s war aims in light of mounting international criticism.
Victim Advocacy
Prof. Ruth Halperin-Kaddari, a researcher in the Faculty of Law and head of The Ruth and Emanuel Rackman Center, condemned the United Nations for downplaying and minimizing acts of sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas against Israeli women and men on October 7th.
Media Manipulation
Dr. Barak Bouks of the School of Communication and the Department of Political Studies explained how Hamas, Hezbollah, and Islamic Jihad use media to glorify the atrocities of October 7th, and the meaning of the name Hamas chose for its attack (the “Al-Aqsa Flood”).
Understanding the Enemy
Dr. Eyal Pinko of the Department of Political Studies and the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies (BESA) discussed, among other topics, the IDF’s military strategy for isolating Gaza City at the start of Israel’s war against Hamas; the difficulties involved in rescuing the hostages by military means; the methods Hamas employes in its psychological-terror campaign; and the likelihood of Hezbollah and Palestinians in Judea and Samaria joining the conflict.
Message and Meaning
Prof. Eytan Gilboa, a researcher in the School of Communication and founder of the Center for International Communication at Bar-Ilan, analyzed the reasons for both Pres. Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu’s messages to their respective publics, and Biden’s likely response to the killing of American soldiers by Iranian proxies in Syria and Iraq. He also discussed the problems with the international media’s coverage of the Al Ahli Hospital blast and the phenomenon of rising antisemitism on American college campuses.
Revealing Data
A study by Dr. Gal Yavetz of the Department of Information Science showing that nearly 50 percent of Israeli Arabs have uploaded less content to social media since October 7th was cited in numerous international media outlets. He also analyzed data showing a trend toward less television viewing by Israelis in the second month of the war, explaining that it likely reflects a response to the anxiety caused by constant news consumption.
Seeing the Signs
Dr. Nesia Shemer of the Department of Middle Eastern Studies explained Israeli Hamas scholars’ reaction to the surprise attack of October 7th and how Hamas ensures a pipeline of terrorists by educating Gazan children to hate Israelis and Jews.
Honest Reporting
Dr. Galit Benzur of the School of Communication discussed the effects of international news agencies’ efforts to cut costs on the quality of reporting in conflict zones.
