Selling Israel: Zionism, Propaganda, and the Uses of Hasbara is a revelatory examination of how Israel has skillfully employed propaganda to shape global perceptions, justify its policies, and maintain Western support despite its ongoing violations of international law and human rights. From its late 19th-century origins, Zionism sought to unite a fractured Jewish population under a nationalist vision. But achieving this goal required more than political maneuvering–it demanded a compelling narrative. Whether persuading world powers to endorse the state’s creation, rallying Jews to fund and populate the new nation, or branding Israel as a beacon of democracy while suppressing Palestinian resistance, the Zionist project has always depended on carefully crafted messaging. Author Harriet Malinowitz, a retired professor of English specializing in writing, rhetoric, Palestine studies, and gender and sexuality studies, brings a sharp analytical lens to Israel’s powerful public relations apparatus. A longtime advocate for Palestinian rights and a member of Jewish Voice for Peace, Malinowitz draws from her extensive research and activism to uncover the methods of hasbara, Israel’s vast propaganda network spanning government ministries, NGOs, media outlets, and academic institutions. She explores the use of “nation branding”, “soft power”, “greenwashing”, “pinkwashing”, and digital influence to maintain a global image of Israel as a besieged democracy rather than a colonial occupier.
