It has been two months since the start of the war in Gaza. With thousands of lives lost and millions of others affected, the war has had its toll on the economy, security and social fabric of some societies across the globe. The second Palestinian Intifada of the year 2000 witnessed a strong reaction from Arab and Muslim societies when millions showed support for the Palestinian cause through boycotts and protests, the same reaction also took place following the US invasion of Iraq in 2003. This time around the greatest statements are made on social media, the power of social media that first came into existence during the Arab Spring in 2011 showed the world the meaning of online activism and the fact that it is one of the strongest weapons at times of political tensions.
Social media has revolutionized the way individuals interact and engage with global events, including armed conflicts. The Israel-Hamas war has witnessed extensive social media activity, raising questions about its impact on the social fabric of society. Therefore, it is expected that the war will spread to the social media scene as it is the easiest and most practical tool of showing defiance or support.
Although social media activism has the potential to bring about positive change, it also poses significant challenges. The influence of social media on foreign policy decisions is undeniable, but caution must be exercised to ensure accuracy, accountability, and ethical use. Understanding the dual nature of social media is crucial for policymakers, activists, and individuals alike, as they navigate the complexities of the digital age.
The events of October 7th led millions of citizens across the world to the online scene, some showing support to the acts of Hamas in the name of resistance and others expressing the total opposite. In Bahrain, the social media activity of the public is filled with tension, as most people express their opinions and circulate news about Gaza. While social media activity is a positive mean to practice one’s freedom of expression, it can also promote tensions and disunity in a society, some of which we had previously witnessed in Bahrain during the 2011 unrest. Here’s a look at what some Bahrainis think of the social media scene in Bahrain since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7th:
“A powerful tool”
“ Social media is the easiest way to show our support to the Palestinian people. Our voice is being heard. Many underestimate the power of social media activity. However, collectively pro Palestine social media activity from all over the world has influenced a change in the policies of international organisations, the UN and even countries that blindly support Israel” Hassan 32
“ Our social media presence is the only way we can defend Palestine. It is true that some are being antisemitic, but this does not mean that all pro-Palestine social media activity is antisemitic” Manal 28
“ The social media scene has been very active during the past few weeks. However, I strongly believe that it is simply a trend and people expressing opinions towards the war will eventually lose interest. The same will happen with the boycott” Sarah 36
“ Nothing is going to go back to normal following the October 7th attacks and the ongoing attacks and massacres by the Israelis on Gaza. It is an issue that will affect all of us in the region and across the globe. We should be able to at least attempt to promote peace at an early stage on social media” Khalid 26
“Dangerous narratives”
“ The rise of Islamophobia in the west and Anti-Semitism in the Middle East and elsewhere is a result of the social media activity during the past few weeks. It is an uncontrollable environment that can lead to further tensions in any society” Hamad 40
“ Some Bahrainis have been posting antisemitic posts, they are totally unaware of a way to differentiate between the state of Israel and the Jewish people. The narrative of some has been leaning to the extreme, perhaps something should be done about this” Amal 37
“ The social media scene in Bahrain is very tense. The moderates are side-lined once again. One cannot express any sympathy towards the Israeli hostages or else you will be called a Zionist or anti-Palestine. The reality is much more complex, we need to be human and stand with all civilians” Maryam 28
“ Most social media activity in Bahrain is certainly and without any surprise pro-Palestine and anti-Israel. Many even celebrated the victory of Hamas, little do they know that Hamas and Hezbollah are the enemies of humanity” Ahmed 36
“ I think that the social media activity in the past few weeks has been dangerous. People do not verify any information before posting. Many are blindly supporting acts of violence. The narratives online can be very misleading and hence dangerous” Mahmood 32
“ Online narratives are very divisive and can easily draw people away from the root of the situation. While using any social media application, all you can see is pure hate, lack of awareness and heightened emotions” Fatima 42
“One side or the other”
“ One cannot be selective when it comes to human rights. Civilians must be protected at all cost and our social media activity should be balanced in the sense where we should be the ones who call for peace for both the Palestinians and Israelis. Unfortunately, people always tend to post one side of the story while disregarding the other” Abdullah 29
“ It is either one side or the other. There are also many posts going around calling out those who are not being biased towards Palestine and calling them traitors of the Muslim nation” Salman 35
“ It is always the moderates and pragmatists that are lost in the online scene when such tensions take place. Some of the moderates get bullied by others online just because we disagree with some of their content. Social media use has to be taught in schools in Bahrain” Reem 26
“ Heightened emotions for weeks, that is all you notice on the social media scene in Bahrain. People are angry and sad at what is happening in Gaza. It is an atrocity and the least we can do is to be their voice online” Ali 37
“ The social media activity reflects the lack of political awareness in Bahrain. We most certainly should support the people of Gaza and the Palestinian cause but in the process of supporting the above we shouldn’t get dragged into supporting a terrorist organisation such as Hamas, while we should also consider that Bahrain has relations with Israel and diplomacy and dialogue are the only way forward” Zainab 40