What it is about:

The Israeli government has introduced a significant shift in its budgeting strategy to prioritize global pro-Israel advocacy. As part of the 2025 budget, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will see an injection of $150 million focused on public diplomacy, aiming to boost Israel’s international standing.

Why it matters:

This substantial financial commitment highlights Israel’s urgent response to counter challenges in international public opinion that intensified after a brutal October 2023 attack by Hamas. More than 1,200 lives were lost during this assault, primarily civilians, stirring global attention and critique after the resulting war effort targeted Hamas and its influence in the region.

The backdrop:

This initiative stems from a political agreement between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Gideon Sa’ar of the New Hope party. Sa’ar’s return as Foreign Minister aligns with the commitment to fortify Israel’s capacity in global diplomacy, especially during a time of increased media scrutiny.

What they’re saying:

Sa’ar expresses a strategic focus on shaping perceptions, particularly on American college campuses, areas rife with critical narratives about Israel. Cooperation with American Jewish entities aims to drive these efforts further, recognizing that current public diplomacy tools have been under-resourced.

What’s next:

Strategic sessions are ongoing to determine effective ways to deploy these resources, and address previous shortcomings in advocacy campaigns. Efforts are underway to ensure impactful and lasting results from this initiative, aiming to strengthen Israel’s reputation and effectiveness of advocacy across influential global forums.

The bottom line:

This budget stands as an acknowledgment from Israel that asserting its narrative on the international stage is as crucial as any program within its borders. The enhanced focus on public diplomacy speaks volumes about Israel’s dedication to portraying its viewpoints accurately and robustly to a global audience.

This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.