This week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the power of social media influencers in influencing foreign perceptions of Israel, and records reveal the enormous financial stakes involved.
“We have to fight back,” Netanyahu said at a meeting on Friday, referring to a “community” of influencers. How can we defend ourselves? Our influences are really crucial.
Influencers who are paid between $6,143 and $7,372 per post on sites like Instagram and TikTok to promote Israel are listed under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
According to the invoices examined, Havas Media Group Germany was charged $900,000 for a “Influencer Campaign” that took place between June and November by Bridge Partners, a company affiliated with Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
