THE INFORMATION WAR: HASBARA, MEDIA NARRATIVES AND THE HAMAS CHARTER

In modern conflicts, wars are not only fought on the battlefield — they are also fought through language, media framing, and political narratives. Governments, institutions and advocacy networks compete to shape how events are understood by the public. This struggle is often described as an information war, where words, images and messaging influence which stories dominate global debate.

In discussions about the Israel–Palestine conflict, concepts such as Hasbara, media narratives, and political framing frequently appear. But what is Hasbara, and how do communication strategies influence the way conflicts are presented in international media?

As an engineering student with a design background, I approach complex topics with curiosity and analytical thinking. Rather than telling readers what to believe, the aim of this article is to explore the information war surrounding the conflict, examine messaging strategies, and highlight primary sources such as the Hamas Charter 2017. By looking directly at documents, narratives and media framing, readers can investigate the subject themselves and form their own conclusions.

HAMAS CHARTER (2017)

The 2017 Hamas political document outlines how the movement defines its goals, identity, and political position in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The text presents Hamas as a Palestinian national liberation movement with an Islamic reference framework.

Many countries, including the EU and the United States, designate Hamas as a terrorist organisation, while others describe it as a resistance movement in the context of occupation. The document below reflects how Hamas itself defines its objectives and worldview.

Reading primary documents is important for understanding political movements in their own words. The full document can be read here:
Hamas Political Document (2017).

KEY PRINCIPLES FROM THE DOCUMENT

THE MOVEMENT

Hamas describes itself as a Palestinian Islamic national liberation and resistance movement whose objective is the liberation of Palestine and opposition to the Zionist project.

THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE

The document defines Palestinians as the Arab population living in Palestine before 1947 and their descendants. It emphasizes a continuous Palestinian national identity that remains regardless of displacement or exile.

PALESTINE AND JERUSALEM

The charter presents Palestine as a single territorial unit and considers Jerusalem its capital. It also highlights the religious significance of the land for Muslims, Christians, and the broader Arab and Islamic world.

RELATIONSHIP TO JEWS AND ZIONISM

Hamas states that its conflict is with the Zionist project and not with Jews because of their religion.

The document distinguishes between Judaism as a religion and Zionism as a political project, framing the conflict in political and territorial terms.

REFUGEES AND RIGHT OF RETURN

The charter emphasizes the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes. It describes this as a fundamental right supported by international law and human rights principles.

POLITICAL POSITION

While rejecting the legitimacy of the Israeli state, the document states that Hamas would accept a fully sovereign Palestinian state along the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital as a national consensus formula, without formally recognizing Israel.

WHY READING PRIMARY SOURCES MATTERS

Political conflicts are often shaped by narratives and interpretations. Reading original documents, statements, and historical sources can help readers understand how different actors describe their own goals and perspectives.

Primary documents do not provide the full picture, but they offer important context for analysing complex geopolitical conflicts.

GLOBAL LANGUAGE DICTIONARY (GLD) AND MESSAGE COORDINATION

Modern conflicts are also fought through language. Governments and political organisations often develop communication guidelines to shape how events are described in public discourse.

One example discussed in media and academic research is the Global Language Dictionary (GLD), a set of messaging guidelines reportedly used in pro-Israel advocacy campaigns. The document provides recommended terminology and framing strategies intended to influence how the Israeli–Palestinian conflict is discussed in media, public debate, and political communication.

The purpose of such communication frameworks is to ensure message discipline. Specific words, narratives, and historical references are promoted while others are discouraged, allowing coordinated communication across governments, media actors, and advocacy organisations.

Supporters argue that these guidelines help explain Israel’s position more effectively in international debates. Critics argue that they represent a form of strategic narrative management within the broader information war surrounding the conflict.

Readers are encouraged to examine such documents directly and compare them with media coverage, official statements, and primary sources in order to form their own conclusions.

FACTS