Israel is investing over $10 million in a large-scale propaganda campaign targeting American evangelical Christians—one of the most ambitious efforts by a foreign government to shape U.S. religious and digital spaces.
Israel’s Ministry of Strategic Affairs and Ministry of Diaspora Affairs is orchestrating a sophisticated operation that channels money through the global PR agency, Havas Media, to American firms closely linked to conservative and evangelical circles.
According to federal filings and internal records, a $3.3 million geofencing contract has been awarded to Show Faith by Works LLC, a firm led by evangelical strategist Chad Schnitger. This initiative involves mapping the locations of churches and Christian colleges in states like California, Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado during worship services and events. Mobile devices of attendees in these areas are then specifically targeted with pro-Israel advertisements. These ads, couched in biblical terms, depict Palestinians as threats and highlight Israel’s significance in eschatological prophecies, referencing scriptures such as Genesis 12:3, “I will bless those who bless you.”
This deployment of geofencing on such a scale to target worshippers in religious settings is unprecedented, sparking serious debates about privacy and ethics. Originally refined for public health communications during the COVID-19 pandemic, this tactic is now being leveraged for political persuasion.
In addition to geofencing, Israeli agencies have enlisted digital marketing firms, including one owned by Brad Parscale, former digital director for Donald Trump, to generate a steady stream of pro-Israel content. Thousands of videos and posts are crafted each month for platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, specifically targeting evangelical youth. Other initiatives are focused on influencing AI platforms such as ChatGPT and Claude, ensuring that responses to questions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict align with Israel’s perspective. This represents one of the first known efforts by a government to shape narratives through generative AI technology.
Internal planning documents suggest the “October 7 Experience,” a virtual reality exhibit dramatizing Hamas attacks, has identified notable evangelical celebrities, including Chris Pratt, Jon Voight, Tim Tebow, and Stephen Curry, as potential endorsers. However, it remains unclear whether any formal approaches have been made or if these individuals have agreed to participate.
This extensive campaign, exceeding $10 million, marks a strategic shift in response to waning support for Israel among young American evangelicals. It combines traditional diplomacy with cutting-edge digital strategies, including device tracking and content manipulation through artificial intelligence.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry has denied targeting churches or pastors, calling such claims “false” and part of a disinformation effort to undermine Israel’s legitimacy. However, the contracts, federal filings, and internal documents—verified by Haaretz—provide detailed evidence of the scope and methods.
American churches, congregants, and digital platforms are now central arenas in foreign influence operations. Greater transparency and oversight are needed to protect privacy, freedom of worship, and the integrity of public discourse.
