West Jerusalem is expected to allocate nearly $729 million to “public diplomacy” efforts in the next fiscal year
The Israeli cabinet has allocated a massive 2.35 billion shekels (almost $729 million) to “public diplomacy” in its next budget, constituting a sharp, almost five-fold hike in spending on fixing the country’s heavily dented image.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced a new Public Diplomacy Division in his ministry on Sunday at a conference in Jerusalem. The move constitutes a “significant strategic decision,” the top diplomat stated, adding that “when public opinion shifts toward an anti-Israeli stance” in a third country, it can “promptly impact government actions.”
“The second decision is the approval of a budget of 2.35 billion shekels (of which one billion shekels is authorized) for the battle for public awareness and the promotion of Israel’s image worldwide. The concept that the battle for public awareness is part of national security was fundamental to this decision,” he said.
Last year, Israel allocated some $150 million to public diplomacy – 20 times more than what was spent on average over the previous years.
The draft budget was approved by the country’s cabinet last Friday after hours of tense negotiations. The full budget amounts to some 662 billion shekels and is now set to move to its first plenary reading. It must pass before the end of March 2026; otherwise, the Knesset will automatically dissolve, and early elections will be held.
Israel’s international image has been badly damaged by the conflict in Gaza, prompted by the October 2023 surprise attack on the south of the country launched by Palestinian militant group Hamas, which left 1,200 dead.
Israel responded with heavy aerial and artillery bombardment of the Palestinian enclave, repeatedly launching ground operations in Gaza. West Jerusalem also launched several operations abroad, striking backers of Hamas, including Iran, Lebanon-based Hezbollah, and Houthi militants in Yemen.
Nearly 70,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza during the conflict, according to local health authorities, while nearly 90% of the enclave’s population is internally displaced. Israel has faced accusations of genocide from multiple foreign nations and international bodies.
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