Elad Tena appointed new head of Israel National Information System
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has announced the appointment of Elad Tena to lead Israel’s National Information System called “Hasbara” in Hebrew, which comes from the word for “explanation.”
Elad Tena Photo: Aya Efraim/GPO
His appointment came after a six-year period in which the position was not filled.
The National Information System is a department in the Prime Minister’s Office that is responsible for Israel’s information activities and for the spokespersons of the Prime Minister’s Office. It was officially established on July 8, 2007. The head of the information system also serves as the media adviser to the Israeli prime minister.
The information system is responsible for working with the media in Israel and around the world, as well as with pro-Israel organizations around the world. It also operates websites and the social networking system of the Prime Minister’s Office. It is not a political arm of the Prime Minister’s Office. It only deals with defending Israel.
The Israeli Hasbara department was established to provide a counter to negative international press reporting about the country, by offering not only Israel’s side of the story but also by promoting more traditional news stories. These include reports on the positive activities of the IDF, how Israel offers aid to other countries in need like it did after the condominium tower recently collapsed in Florida and following earthquakes in countries like Haiti.
The Hasbara department also promotes true stories about Israeli Arab communities and how many Arabs take part in the day to day life of Israeli society.
Tena, 49, is a major in the IDF Spokesman’s Unit and a resident of Modi’in. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communications and political science from Bar Ilan University, and currently serves as vice president and head of the digital division at Israel’s Public Broadcasting Corporation.
In the past, Tena has held various positions in the field of journalism, including serving as deputy editor of Maariv, editor of the NRG website and deputy editor of Makor Rishon. In 2000, he was a partner in the founding of the Ynet website, and served in various editorial positions on the site, including head of the news desk for five years. At the end of 2010, he established the youth supplement Motsash in the Makor Rishon newspaper.
While working for Israel’s Public Broadcasting Corporation, Tena set up its digital division and managed it for 6 years.
Prime Minister Bennett said that he decided to appoint Tena to the position of head of the national information system In light of his many years of experience and his in-depth knowledge of the traditional and digital media in Israel.
His appointment will is set to be approved by the government of Israel at one of its upcoming meetings.
