"For at least a year, an Israeli YouTube accounthas been running ad campaigns that discredit UN agencies and challenge the findings of internationally recognized watchdogs. A government document reveals that at least 42 million (approx. $49 million) has been spent on ad campaigns across platforms like YouTube and X since mid-June 2025. These efforts are part of Israel's broader public diplomacy strategy known as "Hasbara," a Hebrew term which roughly translates to "explaining" and is used to describe efforts to promote Israel's image abroad."
"Two videos were promoted via paid ads on the official YouTube channel of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is verified with a black check mark.The videos show markets full of food and restaurants serving meals, allegedly filmed in Gaza during July and August 2025. They feature onscreen text and an AI-generated voiceover, ending with the statement: "There is food in Gaza. Any other claim is a lie.""
"The black check mark on this screenshot shows: This is an official Israeli government accountImage: @IsraelMFA/Youtube These videos have been viewed more than 18 million times and have been published in English, Italian, German and Polish. Targeted messaging and misleading narratives According to Google's Ad Transparency Center,YouTube ads can be targeted by gender, age and region. Israel targeted viewers in Germany, Austria, Italy, Poland, the United Kingdo"
The State of Israel used its Government Advertising Agency to run paid international campaigns aimed at shaping public opinion in parts of Europe and North America. An Israeli YouTube account ran ad campaigns for at least a year discrediting UN agencies and challenging findings of internationally recognized watchdogs. A government document shows at least 42 million (approx. $49 million) spent on ads across platforms like YouTube and X since mid-June 2025. On August 22, the day the IPC assessment reported famine in large parts of the Gaza Strip, the agency launched a campaign denying the famine. Two paid videos on the verified Ministry of Foreign Affairs YouTube channel showed markets and restaurants allegedly filmed in Gaza, used onscreen text and an AI-generated voiceover, and concluded with "There is food in Gaza. Any other claim is a lie." The videos were viewed more than 18 million times and published in English, Italian, German and Polish. Google’s Ad Transparency Center shows YouTube ads can be targeted by gender, age and region, and campaigns targeted viewers in several European countries.
Read at www.dw.com
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