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| By: Israel Insider staff and partners |
| Published: May 26, 2005 |
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A new ad blitz, featuring billboards and TV commercials filled with grinning Palestinian children, is attempting to chip away at America's negative image, telling Palestinians they have cleaner water and more classrooms thanks to US generosity.
Chances of success appear slim.
None of the Palestinian entertainers and athletes approached by the campaign were willing to serve as America's goodwill ambassador, reflecting widespread anti-US sentiment.
The prevailing view here is that the ad money is wasted and that attitudes won't budge.
The three-week public relations campaign was commissioned by USAID, a US government agency that has given some US$1.5 billion to the Palestinians in the past decade -- more than any other country -- but has kept a low profile.
By contrast, the US gives Israel about US$2.5 billion a year in military and economic aid.
"Even if they (Palestinians) are not going to change their minds about America, at least they are starting to learn that the Americans are doing something for them," said USAID spokeswoman Sylvana Foa. She said the campaign is a result of polls that showed only 5 percent of Palestinians were aware of the agency's work.
The ads focus on water, health care and education issues. One spot says more than 1 million Palestinians now have clean water. Another says more than 800,000 people have better health care. A third talks about 2,000 new classrooms, all part of US largesse.
The ads are broadcast 15 times a day on local radio, eight times a day on local TV stations as well as two Arab satellite stations, and are plastered on 70 billboards. Each ad ends with the slogan: "From people to people," separating the aid from US government policy.
The AP contributed to this report. |
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