Israel Mounts Lavish Campaign to Win Back Evangelicals (washingtonspectator.org)

A California PR firm, Show Faith by Works, LLC, has registered as a foreign agent for the Israeli government to launch an extensive influence campaign targeting American evangelical Christians. Using data-driven technology and artificial intelligence, the initiative aims to deliver pro-Israel messaging directly to thousands of megachurches across the American Southwest. This campaign represents a significant evolution in Israel's diplomatic strategies, merging state-funded outreach with sophisticated digital tactics, including geofencing to reach specific church congregations. The campaign comprises multiple components, such as sending American clergy on sponsored trips to Israel and a social media push led by a veteran digital strategist. Notably, the project has sparked controversy and backlash from some church leaders, who express concerns about religious spaces being used for targeted political messaging. Despite this, the project’s advocates intend to reshape narratives around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting the complexities of religious influence intersected with technological innovation. As this initiative develops, it underscores the challenges and ethical dilemmas that arise when leveraging AI and digital tools for political engagement within religious contexts.