Grigoriy Asmolov Former IDF press officer Country: Israel

Biography of Grigory Asmolov

Grigory Asmolov is a former officer of the IDF press service. He served in the army's press service, which is responsible for covering events under the control of the military and providing information to the media. Asmolov went through a specific process of questioning, data collection, tests, and exams when he joined the army. After completing the required course, he was assigned to the press service.

As an officer in the press service, Asmolov's main function was to ensure the dissemination of truthful information. The army's press service aims to provide the public with the army's perspective, allowing individuals to make their own choices based on the information they receive. It is not about propaganda, but rather about presenting the army's point of view.

Terrorists attempt to influence the situation through the press. They seek publicity for their actions, and if they cannot achieve this, their attacks become less effective. While terrorists have their own propaganda channels, their main target is the coverage by international media, often by individuals who are far removed from the events and may not fully understand the context or the terrorists' motivations.

The responsibilities of the IDF press service differ from those of other press services, depending on the location and context of the events. If a terrorist attack occurs within cities, the responsibility for coverage usually falls under the police. However, in areas under the control of the army, such as territories beyond the Green Line, the army's press service is responsible for covering events. It is important to note that the army does not have a monopoly on information, as there are multiple sources available.

In terms of the organizational aspects and the use of technical means, terrorist activities differ between the Gaza Strip, Judea, and Samaria. The infrastructure of terrorists in the Gaza Strip is more extensive, and they receive weapons from Egypt via tunnels along the Palestinian-Egyptian border. The situation here is more problematic, even though the border is controlled by the IDF. Attacks involving mortar fire and powerful explosive devices are common in the Gaza Strip. In contrast, attacks in Judea and Samaria involve infiltrating Israeli territory from Palestinian cities since there is no fence like the one surrounding the Gaza Strip. Both regions are active areas for terrorist groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

Terrorists aim to carry out attacks everywhere, and there is competition among terrorist organizations to conduct a greater number of attacks. Each group has its own areas of focus, and the effectiveness of their actions may vary depending on the circumstances and the timely strikes carried out by Israeli security forces.

The Russian media coverage of Israeli events varies depending on the journalists and channels. Asmolov has found it difficult to generalize about Russian channels. However, he has had positive experiences working with NTV correspondents. When it comes to international broadcasting, coverage tends to be more balanced and objective during significant terrorist attacks in Israel. However, there have been instances where channels like CNN have shown biased reporting, which has generated anger among Israelis. In such cases, the Israeli government's press office, responsible for accrediting foreign journalists, becomes more active to address unethical behavior. Accreditation can be denied if a journalist's behavior is deemed inappropriate.

There is a perception that the Israeli press is left-leaning, although competition among newspapers is not primarily ideologically or politically driven. Ultimately, readers choose which newspaper to purchase based on their own preferences.

Palestinian media is a platform for the Palestinian Authority and reflects its position. In contrast, the Israeli press is in constant confrontation with the government, the army, and even itself.

The United States is known for its strong support of Israel. While American press coverage tends to be more understanding, sympathetic, and objective, European press positions are typically more critical and anti-Israel. Finding common ground with European media is often more challenging.

Overall, Grigory Asmolov's experience as an officer in the IDF press service has given him valuable insights into the role of the media in covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He recognizes the importance of providing accurate and objective information to the public while navigating the challenges of media bias and international perceptions.