Israel Deploys AI and Church Outreach in US Influence Push

A 'Christians United for Israel' event in Virginia, July 2023. Credit: Jacquelyn Martin / AP

Israel Invests Millions in US Public Opinion Campaign

The Israeli government has initiated a significant, multi-million dollar effort to reshape its image within the United States. Recent contracts reveal a comprehensive strategy aimed at bolstering American public opinion through both digital and grassroots initiatives. This move comes amid a notable decline in support from some conservative demographics, prompting a robust public diplomacy, or 'hasbara', push.

A Multi-Pronged Strategy for Influence

To achieve its goals, Israel has enlisted specialized firms to execute a broad and modern influence campaign. The approach is not limited to traditional public relations but extends into highly targeted and technologically advanced arenas. Key tactics include:

• Targeting Christian Communities: A major focus of the campaign is to engage directly with millions of Christian churchgoers across the United States.
• Deploying Bot Networks: The strategy involves using automated social media accounts, or bots, to amplify pro-Israel messaging and create a sense of widespread online support.
• Influencing AI and Search Results: A forward-looking component of the plan includes efforts to shape the information landscape on major digital platforms. This involves working to influence search engine results and, notably, the responses generated by popular AI services like ChatGPT to be more favorable to Israel.