The Israeli government recently announced that it would ease restrictions on the Gaza blockade, reports YNet News. The decision comes following international criticism of the actions of Israeli Defense Forces aboard Mavi Marmara, dubbed the “Freedom Flotilla.” Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak told reporters that the easing of restrictions will allow more goods to reach Gaza “without lifting the sea blockade.”

The announcement did not contain any specific details, such as the types of items which would be permitted to be sent to the Gaza Strip. However, according to the Israeli government, the “existing security procedures to prevent the inflow of weapons and war materials” will continue.

Although some European Union officials applauded the Israeli government following this announcement, others likened the decision to calculated propaganda. “We want a real lifting of the siege, not window-dressing,” asserted Hamas lawmaker Salah Bardawil. Similarly, the Jordanian government responded, "Any measure that will ease the pressure on Gaza is a step in the right direction, but such cosmetic changes will not resolve the situation.”

Another Hamas spokesman, Sami Abu Zuhri, called the decision “worthless.” He continued, “We are calling for the continuation of international solidarity efforts aimed at breaking the blockade.”

Caroline Glick of The Jerusalem Post laments the Israeli government's decision. “Netanyahu has made these concessions with the full knowledge that they will strengthen Hamas in the hopes that they would weaken the international onslaught against Israel,” Glick comments.

Netanyahu's outreach to the civilians of Gaza as well as the international community was futile, asserts Glick. “...His hopes were misplaced. Even before Netanyahu announced these concessions, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon already announced that they make no difference to him or to his friends in Washington and Brussels.”

According to The Associated Press, the actions of Israel's government and security forces alienated many countries- including Israel's allies. Following the raid of the Mavi Marmara, countries like Ecuador, South Africa and Turkey recalled their ambassadors. The government of Nicaragua broke diplomatic ties with the Israeli government, and Swedish dockworkers launched a week-long boycott of Israeli vessels and products.

Israel is currently engaged in a propaganda war, notes Raymond G. Helmick and Dr. Nazir Khaja for Arab News. Despite the Israeli government's attempts to eliminate evidence of what happened on the ships, the international community will soon witness the truth. “Eyewitness accounts have begun to come back from those arrested on the ships. With all clarity it is apparent that the Israeli forces did their best to pre-empt the account of the story,” they claim.

The Israeli government is scrambling to address the criticism it is facing and to improve the international community's perception of the Jewish state. Although Helmick and Khaja maintain that the “excellence of the Jewish community in the media field” gives Israel an advantage in the diplomatic war, others disagree.

“The impact of the diplomatic campaign now being waged against Israel will be felt in the medium and long term,” states Caroline Glick for The Jerusalem Post. She argues that the US government, the European Union and the United Nations are engaging in an “assault on Israel.” Similarly, Israeli commentator Ronen Bergman argued that the countries and international organizations were operating with a dangerous “siege mentality,” which may lead to international support for Iran's nuclear program.

“The new line must be held at all costs,” Glick asserts. “Otherwise, Israel will have no diplomatic line of defense as the approaching threats become reality.”

However, not all Israeli officials are in agreement. The government is hard at work restoring its image and diplomatic relations with the international community. According to the Israeli Defense Minister's office, Ehud Barak prompted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to introduce a “daring and assertive political initiative.”

Veteran peace negotiator Yossi Beilin agreed that such a diplomatic initiative geared towards peace is imperative for Israel's future, reports The Associated Press. “The act that we are so isolated needs a solution and the solution will not be by telling ourselves that we are OK,” Beilin said. He predicted that Israel will be “doomed” if the government does not initiate and push the peace process forward.

Yet, Bergman saw the issue from a different perspective. "The problem is not with the marketing. The problem is with the product and the product is damaged. You can't market occupation,” Bergman commented.

The Israeli Security Council, a private initiative, held a conference to discuss the problems posed by ineffective hasbara (public diplomacy) efforts, reports Ben Hartman for The Jerusalem Post.

“As part of a real attempt to give answers to the problems of hasbara, the Israel Security Council will present papers showing their standing on a number of different issues, and will take a look at the world and assess what Israel can do to change its image,” elaborated the Council in a statement about the conference.

The organization's 28 members, who come from the fields of security, diplomacy and statecraft and media, will individually present a plan of action. These presentations will inform the Council's position papers on internal and external hasbara.

According to the Security Council's press release, “Israel’s image is right before our eyes becoming a national security problem for the State of Israel. A need has been created for someone to fill this vacuum and designate the goals and objectives needed for hasbara.”