The Bahraini economist Ala'a Shehabi has taken up the fight for democracy in her native country. In light of the fact that the repression of activists has increased here over the past three years and that the regime is spending millions on PR, hers is set to be a long, uphill struggle. By Iris Mostegel
6 Min Read
(Reuters) - Working in close quarters, surrounded by maps of the Middle East, a small team based in Israel’s foreign ministry are focusing their sights on the Arab world.
Yonatan Gonen, who heads the Arabic-language social media unit within the Israeli foreign ministry, and Lorena Khateeb, a team member of the unit, work at their office in Jerusalem December 1, 2020. Picture taken December 1, 2020. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
Their mission: using social media to convince Arabs to embrace the Jewish state.
The team is spearheading an Arabic-language campaign via platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as part of a multi-pronged diplomatic effort to win over popular acceptance in the Middle East.
20 January 2021 By Professor Henrietta Moore and Dr Ala a Shehabi
On 4 August 2020, a massive explosion at Beirut’s port killed at least 200 people and caused up to $15bn in damage to buildings and infrastructure – including the destruction of the public electricity company building. It was the latest blow for a country battling a 30-year energy crisis and facing chronic shortages as a result of an ageing infrastructure based around fossil fuels.
Now, against a backdrop of popular demands for economic and political reforms, Professor Henrietta Moore (Director, Institute for Global Prosperity) and Dr Ala’a Shehabi (Deputy Director, Institute for Global Prosperity) have been granted £20,000 from the UK Research and Innovation department to run a pilot research and engagement initiative: a citizens’ assembly focusing on energy transition.
Working in close quarters, surrounded by maps of the Middle East, a small team based in Israel’s foreign ministry are focusing their sights on the Arab world.