Dim Amor

Israel faces complex public relations challenges. In an exclusive interview with 'Maakav', Eliav Batito, head of the Civilian Public Diplomacy Headquarters (Israeli Spirit), reveals the daily struggle against antisemitism and the critical importance of strong Israeli public diplomacy in the international arena.

"There's a lot of antisemitism in the world, and we need strong public diplomacy. The Civilian Headquarters is a non-profit organization. We've raised donations, but without government support, we won't be able to make significant progress", Batito begins the interview. His words reflect the constant tension between the urgent need for public diplomacy activities and the limited resources available to the organization.

Batito emphasizes the uniqueness of the Headquarters: "We're proud to have a team of volunteers who are not only passionate about their work but also experts in their fields. Our team members come from diverse backgrounds and are committed to providing accurate information about Israel to audiences around the world". This diversity, he says, allows the Headquarters to address a wide range of public diplomacy challenges.

The Headquarters, which includes over 2,000 volunteers aged 13 and up, operates non-stop, primarily in English, aiming to reach target audiences abroad and reduce antisemitism. "Since the start of the war, we've worked very hard", Batito says. "Many people wanted to volunteer and contribute, but people get used to war". This statement reflects the ongoing challenge of maintaining public awareness and involvement over time.

Despite impressive achievements, Batito again emphasizes the need for government support: "The Civilian Public Diplomacy Headquarters has many collaborations, but without government support, it will be difficult for us to survive". He mentions visits by senior figures to the Headquarters, including Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai and many Knesset members, who emphasized the importance of the Headquarters and the quality of public diplomacy it provides.

Beyond his activities at the Public Diplomacy Headquarters, Batito reveals another side of his personality: "I'm also an event producer and manage the 'Crush Tel Aviv' party line". He talks about his friendship with Diva Goldstar and his commitment to giving opportunities to young artists. This combination of public diplomacy and cultural activities demonstrates Batito's multidimensional approach to promoting Israel's image.

Throughout the interview, Eliav Batito addresses complex issues such as antisemitism, politics, and racism. He emphasizes Israel's strengths alongside the challenges it still faces. "We're strong in innovation, technology, and national resilience", he says, "but we still have a lot of work to do in the field of public diplomacy and public diplomacy".

In conclusion, the interview with Eliav Batito reveals the complexity and challenges facing Israel in the global public diplomacy arena. The Civilian Public Diplomacy Headquarters, under his leadership, represents a significant effort to combat antisemitism and promote a better understanding of Israel in the world. However, the struggle is far from over, and the need for government support and public involvement remains critical to the success of the mission.