Seeing Through the Lies, Artifice, and Deception
Younger cohorts, inundated with social media misinformation, are more susceptible to adopting distorted views.
Lies, artifice, and deception—tools as old as human interaction—have shaped decisions and perceptions throughout history, and they remain disturbingly relevant today. As Mark Twain aptly observed, “A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” From the alarming resurgence of antisemitism to the erosion of Judeo-Christian values that have long underpinned Western democracies, the world faces a multifaceted ideological assault. These two trends are deeply interlinked, each reinforcing the other to weaken societal cohesion. They erode the moral framework that has upheld principles of justice, individual rights, and human dignity leaving Western societies increasingly vulnerable to division and manipulation.
Antisemitism and Public Opinion
One of the most troubling aspects of this phenomenon is how deception targets not only governments and institutions but also public opinion. Antisemitism is a prime example, with recent data from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) revealing that nearly half of the global population harbours antisemitic views. Alarmingly, these attitudes are not shaped by personal experience or direct interaction but are instead informed by twisted narratives and opinion, perpetuated through lies, propaganda, and misinformation. Social media has amplified these falsehoods, allowing hateful ideologies to spread at unprecedented speeds and contributing to deepening societal divisions.
The ADL’s 2025 Report, released on 16 January 2025, highlighted a concerning rise in antisemitic sentiment worldwide. Among its findings, 46% of respondents across surveyed nations admitted to holding antisemitic views—a significant increase from previous years. Even more troubling, 21% believed the Holocaust was exaggerated or fabricated, and 20% admitted they had never heard of it. These figures underscore the scale of ignorance and the potency of misinformation in shaping public opinion. Recent surveys also indicate a worrying generational trend: younger cohorts, inundated with social media misinformation, are more susceptible to adopting distorted views.
Adverse Influencers in the West
In recent years, several major Western media outlets in Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom have faced accusations of disseminating antisemitic messages or exhibiting bias in their reporting on Jewish-related issues. Notable examples include:
- Australia – ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation): The ABC has faced criticism for providing platforms that may inadvertently amplify antisemitic sentiments. Discussions on the rise of antisemitism have pointed to the role of media in spreading hate speech, with the ABC being urged to exercise caution in its reporting to avoid contributing to such issues.
- United States – MSNBC: The network has faced criticism for its coverage of events related to Israel and Jewish communities. During a segment on the attacks in Israel, Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt appeared on MSNBC’s Morning Joe to critique the network’s depiction of Hamas and the conflict, urging for accurate terminology and reporting.
- United Kingdom – BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation): The BBC has been criticized by Jewish community leaders for perceived institutional hostility towards Israel. A report by former BBC executives Danny Cohen and Ruth Deech highlighted concerns about the broadcaster’s impartiality, suggesting that its reporting fuels antisemitism and undermines the security of Jewish communities. The BBC has faced calls for an independent inquiry into these allegations.
Weaponising Lies, Artifice, and Deception
Deceptive tactics employed by state and non-state actors exploit Western values and cultural blind spots. The following case studies illustrate the scope of this challenge:
- The Gaza Hospital Narrative: On 17 October 2023, an explosion at the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza was immediately attributed to an Israeli airstrike by Hamas, claiming 500 fatalities. Media outlets amplified this narrative without verification, sparking global outrage. Subsequent investigations revealed that a misfired Palestinian Islamic Jihad rocket caused the explosion, with casualties far fewer than initially reported. This incident underscores how rapid misinformation, coupled with media bias, can inflame tensions and shape global opinion.
- Hezbollah’s “Green Without Borders”: Ostensibly an environmental conservation group, Hezbollah’s “Green Without Borders” serves as a front for military operations along the Israeli-Lebanese border. Under the guise of ecological projects, it facilitates surveillance and logistical support for hostilities against Israel.
- Russia’s Maskirovka: Russia’s strategic deception, or maskirovka (маскировка), combines misinformation, psychological manipulation, and camouflage. From its historical use in World War II to its modern application during the 2014 annexation of Crimea, maskirovka blurs truth and fiction, delaying international responses.
- China’s Salami-Slicing Tactics: Drawing on Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, China employs incremental actions—such as building artificial islands in the South China Sea—that appear benign individually but collectively advance its territorial claims.
The Work of the 2023 Foundation
As someone who lived in Israel during my military secondment with a United Nations Peacekeeping Mission, I have witnessed firsthand the stark contrast between lived experience and the narratives perpetuated by biased media or ideological zealots. My time in Israel revealed a nation defined by both its challenges and its remarkable achievements—a place of “perfect imperfection” that defies simplistic stereotypes.
A love of Israel cannot be taught; it must be caught. You cannot understand and appreciate the nuance or see how reality is so different to what is portrayed on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation or on the cesspit of social media unless you travel to Israel and experience it for yourself.
The 2023 Foundation was established to bridge this gap, offering opportunities for reasonable, open-minded individuals to engage directly with Israel and its people. By fostering personal experiences, we aim to counter misinformation and challenge the distorted narratives that fuel antisemitism. Our website, www.2023foundation.org.au, highlights how direct exposure fosters understanding and empathy, combating deception with authenticity.
We live in an uneasy calm—a precarious age where deception, propaganda, and division erode the cohesion of Western democracies. As Thomas Jefferson wisely warned, “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” This timeless reminder underscores the critical need to recognise and confront lies, artifice, and deception before they further undermine the values that sustain our societies.
Antisemitism stands as a stark cautionary example, reflecting the corrosive power of misinformation and the widespread misperceptions about Israel perpetuated by distorted narratives. While the Jewish community holds agency in addressing these challenges, Israel’s primary responsibility—and focus—must remain on securing its survival in an existential struggle.
Yet, this is not a task for Israel alone. Jewish diaspora communities, along with gentiles—like me—who understand the truth about Israel, must rise to the challenge. It is my judgment that we may be losing the ‘silent majority.’ While our gaze was elsewhere, antisemites and ideological malcontents worked feverishly, embedding their falsehoods and sowing division. We are now in a race to catch up. This competition for hearts and minds is one we cannot afford to lose. Global demographic trends, coupled with the generational erosion of support for Israel, magnify the urgency of our mission. The stakes are too high for passivity; decisive action is essential to reclaim and fortify the foundational support required for Israel’s enduring survival.
A steadfast commitment to truth, vigilance, and collaborative action is not merely desirable—it is indispensable. Only with such resolve can we preserve the principles and values that underpin democratic societies and secure a future where justice, integrity, and coexistence prevail.
Colonel Michael Scott CSC is CEO and Founder of the 2023 Foundation, a charity focused on combatting antisemitism and fostering peaceful coexistence. He lived in Israel between July 2019 and September 2021 and travelled extensively through Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt.
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not reflect the positions of the Australian Defence Force or the Commonwealth Government of Australia.
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