PR Stunt Gone Wrong: #AskNetanyahu Hashtag Backfires

A social media campaign launched on Tuesday by Benjamin Netanyahu has backfired spectacularly. Via the Prime Minister’s Twitter account an online Q&A was announced giving the people a chance to tweet their questions under the hashtag #AskNetanyahu. And although it was a big success, making it a trending topic on Twitter by Tuesday even though the Q&A was set to go live on Thursday, it wasn’t the kind of success Netanyahu was hoping for.

Activists jumped on the opportunity to ridicule, criticize and confront Netanyahu with the illegal occupation, war crimes and atrocities against the Palestinians.

What seemed to be an attempt to score points with public opinion ultimately resulted into a bad publicity stunt. You should’ve seen that one coming, Bibi.

Hi @IsraeliPM

Who do you identify with the most: Voldemort, Darth Vader or Hannibal Lector? You may pick more than 1 answer #AskNetanyahu

— Raz (@raztweets) May 10, 2016

In your legal opinion, can an ice cream cooler used to store baby cadavers as a result of overflowing morgues, be tax exempt? #AskNetanyahu

— Hend Amry (@LibyaLiberty) May 10, 2016

#AskNetanyahu why aren't you in The Hague?

— اسلام (@AfroArabian_) May 10, 2016

Farmers or fisherman? Which is your favorite target? #AskNetanyahu

— B̶l̶u̶e̶Green Dupage (@HDGregg) May 10, 2016

#AskNetanyahu how do you sleep at night?

— فاطمة الخاطر (@FAlKhater) May 10, 2016

Here are just some of the questions asked:

#AskNetanyahu Why do Israeli soldiers fire at fishermen & farmers in Gaza's waters & buffer zone although they pose no danger to Israel?

— Elizabeth Tsurkov (@Elizrael) May 10, 2016