Israel to pour $730m into propaganda arm amid reputational crisis

Israel's government allocated $730 million to its public diplomacy directorate (Hasbara) in its March 2024 national budget, a nearly five-fold increase from the previous year's $150 million, as the country confronts declining international support amid accusations of genocide in Gaza, apartheid in the West Bank, and regional military actions. The spending surge reflects intensified efforts to counter negative global perceptions, including a $50 million social media campaign, a centralized media monitoring unit, and a $1.5 million monthly contract with a firm linked to former Trump strategist Brad Parscale to deploy artificial intelligence tools online.