It is structured as "myths and facts," using facts and figures to shatter myths. Many of the "myths" are straw men. Israel is not criticized or misperceived abroad as a "primitive" country where people only eat hummus and falafel and ride camels. Nobody thinks that Israel is ruled by a military junta or that Israel is a huge country. And even if the eager Israeli "hasbara ambassador" does meet some ignoramus in Paris or Rome who doesn't know that Israel boasts a wonderful culinary scene (and it does), or that Israel produces fabulous culture and technology (and it does, in droves), pointing out these facts will do little to improve Israel's image abroad as an aggressive occupying power.

The Israeli frequent flier is more likely to meet intelligent members of the international community, who will ask inquisitive questions about war and peace, security and strategy, settlements and occupation, morality, democracy, equality and tolerance.

Unfortunately, what the Ministry of Information offers its amateur ambassadors in the way of explaining Israel's complex challenges is appalling. It's a collection of half-truths (if not worse), which in most cases do not address the real, piercing questions that Israeli strategists have to deal with.

Astonishingly, there is nothing about a two-state solution. Israel's goal, in terms of its relations with the Palestinians, is depicted as "coexistence," yes, coexistence of Palestinians and Jewish settlers in the West Bank.

There isn't even recognition that the West Bank is occupied. The discourse in Israel about the West Bank is depicted as evolving around Judea and Samaria's "strategic value and the question of its being vital to Israel's security." C'mon!

Settlements? They are not the question, according to the Hasbara Ministry, and, anyway, Judea and Samaria are the land of the Bible; Jews were there first. So asserts the web site.  

How about Israel's future as a democratic state if the occupation of the West Bank continues? The Israeli hasbara volunteer is advised to argue that the demographic balance is actually a myth because the current numbers of West Bank and Gaza Palestinians - as well as the forecasts - are inflated. Seriously!

The Palestinian's right for independence and statehood? The site advises the hasbara ambassador to argue that first the Palestinians have to stop inciting to violence against Israel. Then we'll see about peace.

You have to read this baloney to believe it.

I find it offensive and, frankly, scandalous that Israeli citizens are expected to be the voice of Israel's extreme right when traveling abroad.

You see, even the current government of Israel doesn't use the primitive, extremist arguments that Hasbara Ministry's web site prescribes to average Israelis. Netanyahu, Lieberman and Barak are talking about a two-state solution, about the vital need for Israelis and Palestinians to separate if Israel is to exist as a Jewish democracy.

Why, then, should Yossi six-pack be expected to sell to the world what even the leaders of Israel's right wing government are too embarrassed to sell?

To me, this effort is one more example of how Israel hurts itself on the international scene as it tries to improve its image.

Here's the deal: If you insist on fighting a PR war overseas to defend the policies of this government, at least provide your volunteer foot-soldiers with weapons that would not shoot you (and them) in the foot. If, however, you really want to change the way the international community's attitude toward Israel's occupation and intransigence, forget the hummus and the camels. Forget the losing arguments about the land of the Bible and Palestinian incitement. If you want to change hearts and minds worldwide, change your policy.