Israel to pour $730m into propaganda as Gaza genocide, Iran war turns it into pariah
Submitted by Elis Gjevori on Fri, 05/01/2026 - 09:04
Spending surge comes as global reputation plummets and scrutiny grows over Israeli influence in US politics and links to Epstein
A young member of the Neturei Karta, an international organisation of anti-Zionist Orthodox Jews, poses for a picture next to a mural of a Palestinian flag during a protest against the State of Israel, which they believe should not exist, in the Jerusalem neighbourhood of Mea Shearim on April 22, 2026. (Ahamad Gharabli/AFP) AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP
Off Israel is preparing to spend nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars on propaganda as it tries to reverse a collapsing global image shaped by its genocide in Gaza and a metastasizing war across Western Asian countries.
Israeli lawmakers approved a 2026 national budget in March that allocates $730m to state propaganda, widely referred to as hasbara.
The figure marks a dramatic increase from the $150m set aside the previous year, which had already surged to roughly 20 times pre-2023 levels.
The scale of the spending, first detailed by the Jerusalem Post earlier this week, signals a major escalation as Israel attempts to contain growing international outrage and its growing pariah status.
The push comes as Israel also faces a growing list of crises beyond Gaza including growing awarness over its apartheid system in the occupied West Bank and intensifying scrutiny over links to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, who has been suspected of ties to Mossad.
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Anger has also deepened over Israel’s role in drawing the United States into a war with Iran, triggering a global economic disruption and humanitarian fallout far beyond the region.
Israel faces diplomatic and public opinion isolation at levels 'not seen since its establishment'
- Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv
At the same time, Iraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, while Israel confronts genocide charges at the International Court of Justice.
The spending drive reflects a broader effort to counter shifting public opinion, particularly in the United States.
Survey data shows support eroding even among traditional allies. A Pew Research Center poll published in April found 60 percent of Americans now view Israel unfavourably, a sharp rise over the past year, while favourable views have dropped to 37 percent.
The shift cuts across political and religious lines. Among Republicans under 50, a majority now hold negative views. Support has also fallen among Black Protestants, Catholics and the religiously unaffiliated. Even among American Jews, backing has slipped below two-thirds.
'Creeping economic boycott'
Israel’s Foreign Ministry has expanded its messaging apparatus alongside the budget increase. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has overseen the creation of a dedicated unit tasked with shaping international narratives.
The government has committed tens of millions of dollars to digital campaigns, including a $50m social media advertising push across major platforms. It has also spent around $40m hosting hundreds of foreign delegations, ranging from politicians and clergy to influencers and university leaders.
A centralised “media war room” now tracks coverage from hundreds of outlets and monitors thousands of daily references to Israel.
The campaign extends into political consulting and targeted outreach. The Foreign Ministry signed a $1.5m-per-month deal with a firm linked to former Donald Trump strategist Brad Parscale to deploy artificial intelligence tools online.
Additional funds have gone towards evangelical networks and influencer campaigns run through private PR firms.
The surge in spending coincides with growing alarm inside Israel’s policy circles about deepening isolation.
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A recent paper by researchers at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv warned that Israel faces diplomatic and public opinion isolation at levels “not seen since its establishment”.
The report highlights what it describes as a “creeping economic boycott”, with businesses and academic institutions increasingly avoiding ties with Israel.
Researchers urge the government to intensify engagement with diaspora Jewish communities and Christian Zionist networks.
Proposals include expanding youth travel programmes to bring tens of thousands of young Jews and Christians to Israel each year, alongside efforts to strengthen influence within higher education.
The paper also calls for a $100m fund to boost Israeli research and recommends inviting leaders from top global universities to visit Israel, with the aim of reinforcing institutional ties.
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