**Title: Israel Allocates Over $45 Million for AI-Driven Media Campaign in the US**
Israel has reportedly invested more than $45 million in an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered media campaign aimed at reshaping its public image and influencing American public opinion, according to a recent report by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ). This initiative comes amid a notable decline in Israel's favorability among US adults, with a recent survey from the Pew Research Center indicating that 60% of Americans held an unfavorable view of the country as of March 2023. This figure marks a significant increase from 53% in 2022 and 42% in 2021.
The WSJ investigation revealed that millions of AI-generated messages have been disseminated to American citizens in recent months. These messages, which purport to come from a fictional group named Friends for Peace, feature common names such as Emma, Sarah, and John. The content of these messages includes questions designed to engage recipients in discussions about US-Israel relations, particularly concerning peace talks with Iran and their implications for global security. However, the WSJ noted that it could not identify any registered nonprofit or organization operating under the name Friends for Peace.
The campaign is reportedly part of a larger contract awarded to a team led by Brad Parscale, who previously served as the campaign manager for former US President Donald Trump. The firm Sparkfire, which is managing the text messaging campaign, had received $6.5 million by mid-May 2023. In addition to the messaging efforts, Parscale's team has developed pro-Israel websites and online content aimed at generating more favorable responses about Israel from AI platforms such as ChatGPT and Claude.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar previously announced that the Israeli government had allocated over $700 million in its 2026 budget to enhance Israel's global image and influence public perception. The WSJ report indicates that at least six companies have been engaged for this campaign in the United States, and around three dozen individuals have registered as foreign agents representing Israel.
The campaign also includes a significant advertising budget of over $500,000 through Salem Media, a conservative broadcasting network where Parscale holds the position of chief strategy officer. Salem Media has denied any claims of compensating its hosts to advocate for specific viewpoints.
In a related development, US Vice President J.D. Vance, during an interview with podcaster Joe Rogan, accused certain members of the Israeli government of attempting to manipulate American public opinion to prolong the conflict with Iran indefinitely.
As of now, the Israeli Foreign Ministry has not responded to the WSJ's requests for comments regarding the campaign. The implications of this media strategy and its potential impact on US-Israel relations remain to be seen, as the landscape of public opinion continues to evolve.