Israel Allocates $730 Million to US Influence Campaign

Israel’s 2026 budget earmarked roughly $730 million for public‑diplomacy efforts, a sharp rise from the previous year. The budget funds a multi‑million‑dollar operation to improve Israel’s image in the United States, including a contract worth more than $45 million awarded to former Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale’s firm Sparkfire. The campaign uses AI‑generated text messages—sent from names such as Emma, Sarah and John and claimed to be from a group called “Friends for Peace”—to ask Americans about US‑Israel peace talks with Iran and direct recipients to pro‑Israel websites. Six U.S. firms have been hired and about three dozen individuals have registered as foreign agents on Israel’s behalf. The effort also includes digital advertising and over $500,000 of ads on conservative broadcaster Salem Media.

Public opinion in the United States has shifted unfavourably, with Pew Research reporting about 60 % of American adults holding an unfavourable view of Israel in March 2026. Vice President J.D. Vance accused Israeli officials of trying to manipulate U.S. public opinion to prolong the Iran conflict. Israeli officials have declined to comment on the campaign.