Polish authorities summoned Israel’s ambassador on Aug. 27 to discuss a series of government-produced ads about Gaza with the Foreign Ministry’s Africa and Middle East director, according to Rzeczpospolita.
At the ministry’s request, Poland’s National Cybersecurity Protection Unit at the Research and Academic Computer Network (NASK) also raised the matter with Google, YouTube’s owner.
“NASK experts pointed to manipulated or false content in Google ads and videos on YouTube channels, which—citing the platform’s community guidelines—should result in the content being withdrawn,” NASK said in a statement.
One Israeli government video asserted that “trucks are idling in Gaza” alongside “mountains of unused goods,” calling it “deliberate U.N. sabotage,” the paper said.
Eight videos tied to the Gaza famine were posted on the Israeli embassy in Poland’s YouTube channel, including one uploaded two weeks ago showing a bustling market that drew 1.6 million viewers.
The spots ran as paid promotions, and the Polish campaign amassed about 3.3 million views.
The Foreign Ministry told Rzeczpospolita that Google responded the promoted materials were consistent with its policies and values.
Poland’s Foreign Ministry later stated that “Poland has a different position than the one presented by the Embassy of Israel”, and responded to Rzeczpospolita that it took action because "one of the tasks of the Foreign Affairs Ministry is to counteract foreign interference and manipulation in the information environment."
Independent observers of Gaza’s humanitarian crisis contend Israel, not the U.N., is blocking distribution of aid, Rzeczpospolita reported.
Genocide resolution
In early September, the International Association of Genocide Scholars adopted a resolution saying Israel’s campaign in Gaza meets the U.N. definition of genocide, citing widespread attacks and dehumanizing rhetoric.
Israel rejected the assertion as baseless and said it is the victim.
According to the association, about 28% of its roughly 500 members voted, with 86% in favor of the three-page measure.
The resolution cites what it describes as systematic strikes on essential personnel and facilities, references a U.N. children’s agency figure of 50,000 children killed or injured, points to near-total housing destruction, notes support among Israeli leaders for expelling Gaza’s population, and highlights vows to “flatten Gaza” and make it “hell.”
Famine classification
On Aug. 22, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification and four U.N. agencies officially confirmed that more than half a million people in Gaza are experiencing famine.
The IPC defines famine as a situation in which at least one in five households faces an extreme lack of food.
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Source: Polskie Radio 24, Rzeczpospolita, PAP, TVP World