| 27 October 2023
| Christie Anto
In the wake of a surprise attack by the armed group Hamas on Israel on October 7, social media platforms were flooded with a mix of support for Israel and the spread of fake news. What was particularly striking was the significant involvement of Indian social media accounts in the narrative surrounding the conflict. The surge of anti-Muslim sentiment and support for Israel has raised concerns and is seen as a reflection of shifting ideologies within India.
False information, such as outdated videos and misleading content, circulated on social media, amplifying the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Some of this content was disseminated by influential Indian accounts, including Suresh Chavhanke, the editor-in-chief of Sudarshan News, who shared a video from 2021 depicting an Israeli representative tearing up a United Nations report. This content only served to further fuel tensions and misinformation.
Apoorvanand, a Delhi University professor, has pointed out a connection between the rise of anti-Muslim sentiment and the increasing influence of Hindu nationalist ideologies, particularly under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Hindutva supporters are increasingly looking at Israel as a model for how it deals with Muslim-related issues. This shift in India's mindset toward Israel has been described as a "generational shift" by experts.
Nicolas Blarel, an associate professor of international relations at Leiden University, suggests that India's growing fascination with Israel is due to the country's ongoing conflicts and tensions with its neighbors, particularly Pakistan and China. India's ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has been seeking closer ties with Israel, primarily to enhance its counterterrorism capabilities.
The foreign policy transformation in India is significant. Historically, India had supported Palestine's right to statehood since its independence in 1947. However, recent developments, including terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008 and growing trade and innovation cooperation with Israel, have led to a more balanced approach, with India expressing strong support for Israel in the wake of the recent conflict.
Since Modi came to power in 2014, there has been a significant shift in India's foreign policy, with the Indian Prime Minister even making the first-ever visit to Israel in 2017. This shift has raised concerns about a potential bias and lack of balance in India's approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
In response to the Hamas attack on Israel in early October, Modi's statements of solidarity with Israel were notable. While his initial tweets expressed support for Israel, there was no mention of the Palestinians. This departure from India's balanced policy was seen by experts as an attempt to appeal to Modi's right-wing constituency and garner votes.
This shift in India's stance has sparked debates about Modi's political motives and the potential consequences of these statements. Critics argue that such statements reinforce Islamophobia and align Modi with far-right politicians in Israel who also advocate for strong leadership and state power.
Social media played a crucial role in shaping public opinion regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict in India. A study by the Narrative Research Lab in New Delhi found a five-to-one ratio of pro-Israel content to pro-Palestine content on social media. The phrase "We Indians" was used to invoke nationalist pride, and it became evident that social media was a powerful tool in influencing Indian sentiment toward the conflict.
As India's foreign policy evolves and its social media landscape amplifies these shifts, concerns persist about the potential consequences and implications of this changing dynamic in the region.
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