Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar have approved a massive $725 million budget for global Israel-advocacy campaigns (hasbara) under the 2026 plan. This expansion comes as Israel faces severe damage to its international image due to its ongoing genocide in Gaza, which has caused mass displacement, widespread hunger, disease, and the destruction of the enclave.
The government has already authorised over $300 million for these efforts, and the new budget will significantly increase the scale of such campaigns worldwide. Under the updated plan, the Foreign Ministry alone will receive an additional $150 million, a figure more than 20 times higher than past public-diplomacy allocations.
These funds will be used to shape global opinion in Israel’s favour, especially in countries where criticism has surged. The campaigns aim to counter the growing narrative of famine, genocide, and humanitarian collapse in Gaza.
A major portion of the budget will be directed toward social media operations designed to influence public sentiment and push pro-Israel messaging across major platforms. This includes sophisticated digital outreach and targeted information campaigns.
Beyond online influence, the funding will support partnerships with civil society groups, think tanks, and organisations that can help amplify Israel’s preferred narrative in key regions.
Delegations of politicians, influencers, elected officials, and other public figures will also be sponsored to visit Israel and publicly endorse its position. These efforts are intended to reinforce Israel’s portrayal of “normalcy” in Gaza despite widespread reports of human suffering.
Overall, this unprecedented investment reflects Israel’s attempt to rebuild its global standing and control public perception amid increasing criticism of its actions since October 7, 2023.
