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.
The operation, run through Israel’s Ministry of Strategic Affairs and Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, channels funds via the global PR firm Havas Media to U.S. firms with deep ties to conservative politics and evangelical networks.
Federal filings and internal documents reveal a $3.3 million geofencing contract awarded to Show Faith by Works LLC, led by evangelical strategist Chad Schnitger. The campaign maps the physical boundaries of churches and Christian colleges in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado during worship services and events. Attendees’ mobile devices are then targeted with pro-Israel ads—framed in biblical language—that portray Palestinians as threats and emphasize Israel’s role in end-times prophecy, citing verses such as Genesis 12:3 (“I will bless those who bless you”).
This marks the first known use of geofencing on this scale to reach worshippers inside religious spaces, raising significant privacy and ethical concerns. The tactic, refined during the COVID-19 era for public health messaging, is now deployed for political influence.
Beyond physical targeting, Israeli agencies have contracted digital firms—including one owned by Brad Parscale, Donald Trump’s former digital director—to produce thousands of pro-Israel videos and posts monthly for TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, aimed at evangelical youth. Separate initiatives seek to shape responses on AI platforms like ChatGPT and Claude, ensuring that queries about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict return answers aligned with Israel’s narrative—one of the earliest documented attempts by a state to influence generative AI.
The “October 7 Experience,” a virtual reality exhibit dramatizing the Hamas attacks, has reportedly identified celebrity evangelicals such as Chris Pratt, Jon Voight, Tim Tebow, and Stephen Curry as potential spokespersons, according to internal planning documents. It remains unconfirmed whether any have been formally approached or agreed to participate.
The broader campaign exceeds $10 million and reflects a strategic pivot amid declining support for Israel among younger American evangelicals. It combines traditional public diplomacy with advanced digital tools, including device tracking and AI content shaping.
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.
