The European Union Launches "Palestine Online": Supporting the Palestinian Digital Narrative

SadaNews: The European Union organized today, Thursday, an event called "Palestine Online" in the city of Ramallah, with the participation of Palestinian Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa and several ministers and officials, alongside the EU representative Alexander Stutzmann, and media institutions including SadaNews. The event brought together Palestinian and international journalists, influencers, and creators to highlight digital efforts in supporting the Palestinian narrative and enhancing its presence in cyberspace despite restrictions and censorship.

EU representative in Palestine, Alexander Stutzmann, stated in his remarks to SadaNews: "This is the first time we are holding this conference, Palestine Online, which gathers youth, influencers, and institutions. Palestine has tremendous energy and wonderful youth."

He added: "65% of the Palestinian population is under the age of 30. Here, the discussion takes place, and that is why all these people are gathering here for two days in Ramallah, coming from all over the West Bank and East Jerusalem, to move forward, envision the future, and enable them to shape policies online and offline, build dialogue, and overcome polarization."

He continued, "Palestine is part of the world, Palestine is part of the 21st century, and the Palestinian youth are an integral part of it. They are capable, and we, as the international community, the European Union, and Palestinian institutions, must help them to fulfill this role to the fullest."

For his part, Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa, who participated in the event, affirmed that the government is working to develop the digital infrastructure to keep Palestine connected to the world, stating: "Empowering the Palestinian voice digitally means not only delivering our narrative but also building a modern economy and new job opportunities for youth and creatives, ensuring that the voice of Palestine remains free in the world. This is what we rely on with our partners in the private sector and civil society."

Mustafa stressed that in the face of censorship, blockage, and algorithmic bias, organized pressure and work will continue with partners to ensure that the digital space remains open and fair and that the Palestinian voice is treated with the respect and fairness it deserves.

The Prime Minister stated: "During the war on Gaza, the whole world saw the Palestinian narrative from its primary source—from the lenses of Palestinians, from their phones, from the faces that carried the story without intermediaries, where the story no longer passes through an editor or a selected title, or through editing policy, but came out into the space as it is—truthful, painful, alive."

He noted that since the beginning of the assignment of the 19th government, the vision has been clear in addressing the world and gaining the positions of officials, diplomats, decision-makers, and peoples towards the Palestinian narrative. Diplomatic efforts have been activated, intensifying communication with countries, parliaments, and world officials, as well as legal and humanitarian institutions, to keep the Palestinian narrative present in various centers of international decision-making.

He added: "The government is working in partnership with the private sector to expand the fiber optic infrastructure, accelerate the introduction of 4G mobile networks, and reduce the cost of access to services, which contributes to developing digital services and enabling schools, universities, activists, and entrepreneurs to have fast and secure connectivity to the world."

The Prime Minister continued: "We appreciate the role of President Mahmoud Abbas in steering our ship during this critical phase, and in articulating and carrying the Palestinian narrative in all international forums, so that this narrative remains firmly established in the memories of generations, in books, and in the vast electronic space as well."

Adding to his statement, Mustafa said: "In a time when the image has become stronger than the statement, and the word is the strongest form of weaponry, defending the truth becomes part of defending the homeland, and this is the meaning of Palestine Online—to tell life itself, not just what is permitted to be told."

The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the European Union for organizing this event, which has proven to be a serious partner for Palestine, especially in these difficult circumstances that the homeland is going through, and thanks to everyone who participated in this important event.

President of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate Nasser Abu Baker said: "This is the first conference of its kind of this scale and arrangement, also with the presence of true experts who will speak at this conference."

He added to SadaNews: "The capacity of journalism and influencers to change public opinion is significant; media is production and change. With modern media, we have been able to see through it the extent of the impact on public opinion."

Abu Baker continued: "Digital media, artificial intelligence, modern media, and social media have become realities in all components of life, and thus possessing these tools will enhance the Palestinian narrative before the world and expose the narrative of the occupation."

Furthermore, Director of Sada Social Iyad Al-Rifai stated to Sada News: "The importance of the digital world and the Palestinian presence in the digital world is undeniable, particularly in light of the massive attack on the Palestinian narrative. Therefore, it is crucial to provide these spaces to discuss various issues related to the digital world, especially after two years of extermination."