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The Secret Plan to make You Love Israel // James Li
James Li | Trusted Newsmaker
The Secret Plan to Make You Love Israel: Inside Hasbara 2.0
Israel is preparing for an expanded war in Gaza and even hinting at confrontation with Iran. But before missiles fly, another kind of battle is already underway: a propaganda blitz. With American support for Israel at historic lows, Israel has approved a $150 million communications budget — 20 times higher than before the Gaza war — aimed at reshaping U.S. public opinion .
Pillar One: Decentralization
Instead of relying solely on officials and spokespersons, Israel’s new strategy funnels money into “independent” organizations, influencers, and activists who spread pro-Israel messaging on their behalf. The point is subtlety: when support comes from influencers on TikTok or X instead of a government podium, it appears more organic .
Pillar Two: Aggression Over Persuasion
Gone are the days of carefully crafted apologies. The new tone is unapologetic and blunt. Civilian casualties? That’s war. Hospitals bombed? Deal with it. The messaging strategy emphasizes conviction, hammering home pro-Israel narratives without seeking to “win hearts and minds” in the traditional sense .
Pillar Three: Hide the Money
To obscure direct government involvement, Israel is increasingly routing funds through Public Benefit Corporations (PBCs). One example is Mosaic United, which allows money transfers to look like private funding rather than government spending. This makes it harder for critics to trace influence campaigns back to the state .
Pillar Four: Religious Framing
Propaganda now emphasizes religious symbolism. By highlighting the Star of David as a shield rather than a sword, Israel positions itself as a moral, peace-seeking nation. Critics argue this masks the brutality of ongoing operations in Gaza while branding criticism of Israel as an attack on Judaism itself — a deliberate blurring of politics and faith .
Pillar Five: Missions and Emotional Manipulation
Pro-Israel groups are funding influencer trips to Israel, especially targeting MAGA-aligned social media personalities. The goal is to build emotional connections that turn visitors into lifelong advocates. Even when influencers insist they pay their own way, critics note the result is the same: propaganda packaged as personal experience .
The Bigger Picture
This PR surge is not a sideshow. It’s preparation — a softening of the American public for expanded wars in Gaza and potentially Iran. By linking “America First” rhetoric to “Israel First,” the campaign reframes support for Israel as a patriotic duty. The underlying message: your tax dollars and political loyalty belong to Israel’s wars .
The Hasbara 2.0 strategy exposes how far Israel is willing to go to maintain American support, even as public opinion shifts. By decentralizing propaganda, hiding financial trails, leaning on religion, and recruiting influencers, Israel is laying the groundwork for years of U.S. complicity in its military campaigns. As James Lee, who reported on the plan, warns: this is not just messaging — it is pre-authorization for war, funded by American taxpayers .
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