Influencers sue Israel. They didn't pay for propaganda.

Paweł Tchaikovsky 10 March 2026

Ithardware/influents_claim_Israel_no_pay_im_za_propagande

The Israeli public diplomacy apparatus was at the heart of a legal dispute over salaries for those active in information campaigns conducted after events October 2023. According to reports from the Israeli paper Calcalist, erstwhile co-workers of the state department liable for strategical communications are demanding a million-dollar wage for work done without formal pay.

The lawsuits were directed against a government unit known as the Directorate for Public Diplomacy. In Israel, this institution operates under the name Hasbara and liable for global communications and national image activities. The claims were filed by companies and private contractors who, according to their own accounts, participated in media campaigns and information activities conducted after the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023 and during the war in Gaza.

Some activists organized information events and actions to counter demonstrations of solidarity with Palestinians.

Private companies request millions of shekels

The lawsuits show that 2 private companies request a full of about 2 million shekels from a state institution supervised by the Prime Minister's law firm. Companies claim to have provided production services and supported communication activities aimed at abroad customers. 1 of the companies made available a tv studio utilized to evidence political speeches, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and erstwhile defence Minister Yoave Gallant. The company claims that the remuneration due exceeds half a million shekels.

The second case is led by Intellect. The company demands over 1.5 million shekels for activities carried out in Europe and backing media and logistics initiatives. According to the findings cited by the journal, private production companies acted as intermediaries in the financing of activists and influencers operating abroad.

Eylon Levy outside the suit but with claims

One of the individuals associated with the communication campaigns was erstwhile Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy. The politician served as authoritative spokesperson until March 2024. Levy does not appear as a page in the lawsuit. However, according to his colleagues, he believes that he besides did not receive any of the funds due. A erstwhile official’s spokesperson confirmed that he did not intend to engage in court proceedings.

Levy remains active in social media and continues to participate in the public debate on Israel's global policy.

Organizational chaos after the outbreak of war

According to a study cited by the Israeli media, after the events of October 2023, the state's communications apparatus faced human resources problems. In a short time, cooperation with many freelancers, production companies and online activists began.

Some co-workers worked without formal agreements with state institutions. Private sector intermediaries were utilized alternatively of direct contracts. According to the study of the people active in the projects, the work was organized improvised. Many actions were implemented urgently and financial accounts were postponed.

Action in Europe and before global courts

One component of communication activities was the presence of activists in global political and legal events. The court papers contain information on the financing of the journey to The Hague. According to the report, the funds were allocated, inter alia, to the transport and logistics of those active in media activities at the Israeli-Palestinian conflict hearings.

The Israeli Prime Minister's office admitted that in the activities of the Directorate for Public Diplomacy irregularities may have occurred to conclude contracts. However, officials refused detailed comments due to pending court proceedings.

This institution is straight subordinate to the Prime Minister's Office and is liable for coordinating government communication in global matters.

Rising budgets for information actions

In parallel with the ongoing financial disputes, the government has increased the funds allocated to communication activities. In September 2025 an additional budget of 150 million shekels was approved for the Israeli Ministry of abroad Affairs. This amount has been added to the existing fund of about 520 million shekels for the information activities of the state.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar besides announced the creation of a fresh department dealing with social media communications. The unit is to cooperate with bloggers and net influencers.

Information campaigns for academics

Government communication initiatives besides included activities in the academic community abroad. The Minister for Diaspora Amichai Chikli led projects aimed at university campuses in the United States. These programmes included information activities and campaigns to influence the debate on the definition of anti-Semitism in the American legal system. In the following months, the Ministry besides proposed to finance local communication initiatives by local governments in Israel and abroad

The lawsuits against the directorate of public diplomacy show the scale of [dez]-information activities conducted during the conflict. Judicial matters may disclose details of the financing of media campaigns and of the state's cooperation with private entities.