Massive public diplomacy budget boost approved for Foreign Ministry

Nava Freiberg is The Times of Israel's deputy diplomatic correspondent.

View of the Foreign Ministry's Jerusalem headquarters, July 10, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
View of the Foreign Ministry's Jerusalem headquarters, July 10, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Following the passing of the 2025 state budget, the Foreign Ministry is approved to receive an unprecedented budget increase of NIS 545 million ($149 million) to improve Israel’s public diplomacy abroad, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s office announces.

The funds will be used for international campaigns, foreign media efforts, social media, and more, serving on “another front in the battle Israel is waging to ensure its survival and future,” says Sa’ar.

“Public opinion in democratic countries influences elected officials. Therefore, we must wage both a diplomatic campaign aimed at leaders, foreign ministers, and policymakers – and a cognitive campaign targeting global public opinion.”

Earlier this month, the Foreign Ministry also opened a media war room powered by artificial intelligence to monitor global news online and enable rapid, effective responses to media crises.

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