Israel Allocates Millions for U.S. Influence Targeting Evangelicals and AI
In a strategic move to bolster support among evangelical Christians in the United States, the Israeli government has allocated millions of dollars for public diplomacy initiatives, including significant contracts with U.S. firms. This effort comes amid a noted decline in support for Israel among this demographic, which has traditionally been a strong ally.
Key Details
According to filings under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, Israel"s government has routed payments through Havas Media Germany GmbH, a firm that has managed over $100 million in contracts since 2018 specifically for promoting Israeli tourism in the U.S. The largest contract, valued at $6 million, was awarded in August 2025 to Clock Tower X, a company owned by Brad Parscale, who previously served as the digital campaign manager for former U.S. President Donald Trump. This contract is set to fund campaigns aimed at combating antisemitism, producing 100 core content pieces each month, which will include videos, podcasts, graphics, and text, alongside 5,000 derivative pieces designed to achieve 50 million impressions.
Notably, 80% of this content is aimed at engaging young Americans through popular social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. The distribution of this content will be facilitated through the Salem Media Network, which operates over 200 conservative Christian radio stations and websites, where Parscale will act as the strategic lead.
Additionally, a proposed $3 million campaign by Show Faith by Works, led by Republican evangelical consultant Chad Schnitger, aims to reverse the decline in evangelical support for Israel. This campaign will utilize biblical arguments to emphasize Israel"s significance to Christians and will portray Palestinians as aligned with Hamas, which has been accused of murdering Christian aid workers and celebrating violent acts against Israel.
As part of this initiative, the campaign will implement the largest geofencing operation in the U.S., mapping the perimeters of major churches and Christian colleges in states such as California, Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado during worship hours. This operation aims to identify approximately 8 million churchgoers and 4 million students using commercial data for targeted advertising.
Furthermore, Clock Tower X"s contract includes a "Search and Language Operation" designed to influence Google search results and the responses generated by AI platforms like ChatGPT and Claude. This marks a significant and unprecedented attempt by a state to shape the framing of chatbot responses regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Another contract, valued at 2.5 million shekels, has been awarded to SKDKnickerbocker, which will deploy bots across platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube to amplify messages from Israel"s Foreign Ministry. This initiative will be supported by up to five spokespersons tasked with promoting these messages in international media and on social media.
Bridges Partners has also secured a $1 million contract for the "Esther Project," which aims to recruit 14 to 18 influencers to create 25 to 30 posts monthly on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and X. This project is designed to promote cultural exchange between the U.S. and Israel. Payments for this initiative include $15,000 to Nadav Shtrauchler, a former consultant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and $10,000 to digital marketer Pnina Rezidor.
Background
The Israeli government"s investment in public diplomacy efforts targeting U.S. evangelicals reflects a broader strategy to maintain and strengthen its relationship with this influential group. Historically, evangelical Christians have been strong supporters of Israel, but recent trends indicate a shift in sentiment that Israeli officials are keen to address.
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What"s Next
As these initiatives roll out, the effectiveness of the campaigns in reversing the decline of evangelical support for Israel will be closely monitored. The use of advanced technology, including AI and targeted advertising, represents a new frontier in international public relations efforts, potentially setting a precedent for how states engage with domestic audiences abroad.
For more information on similar situations, see our article on Israel"s investments in U.S. influence efforts targeting evangelicals.
