Israel is investing over $10 million in a large-scale propaganda campaign targeting American evangelical Christians—one of the most ambitious efforts by a foreign government to shape U.S. religious and digital spaces.

An initiative orchestrated by Israel’s Ministry of Strategic Affairs and Ministry of Diaspora Affairs is funneling resources through the international PR giant, Havas Media, to American companies with strong links to conservative and evangelical circles.

According to federal filings and internal communications, a $3.3 million geofencing contract has been granted to Show Faith by Works LLC, headed by evangelical strategist Chad Schnitger. This campaign digitally maps churches and Christian colleges across California, Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado during services and events. It then sends pro-Israel advertisements to the mobile devices of attendees, using biblical language to depict Palestinians as threats and highlight Israel’s role in end-times prophecy, referencing scriptures like Genesis 12:3 (“I will bless those who bless you”).

This effort represents the first large-scale use of geofencing to target individuals within religious spaces, sparking debates over privacy and ethical implications. Initially refined for public health messaging during the COVID-19 pandemic, this technology is now being repurposed for political persuasion.

In addition to location-based strategies, Israeli agencies are working with digital firms, including one managed by Brad Parscale, a former digital director for Donald Trump, to generate thousands of pro-Israel videos and social media posts each month. These are aimed at engaging evangelical youth on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Separate projects are focused on influencing responses from AI platforms like ChatGPT and Claude, ensuring that inquiries about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict reflect Israel’s perspective—marking one of the first instances of a nation attempting to shape generative AI.

The “October 7 Experience,” a virtual reality presentation highlighting Hamas attacks, has identified high-profile evangelicals like Chris Pratt, Jon Voight, Tim Tebow, and Stephen Curry as possible endorsers, as revealed in internal strategy documents. It remains unclear if any of these celebrities have been officially contacted or have agreed to participate.

The broader campaign exceeds $10 million and reflects a strategic pivot amid declining support for Israel among younger American evangelicals. It combines traditional public diplomacy with advanced digital tools, including device tracking and AI content shaping.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry has denied targeting churches or pastors, calling such claims “false” and part of a disinformation effort to undermine Israel’s legitimacy. However, the contracts, federal filings, and internal documents—verified by Haaretz—provide detailed evidence of the scope and methods.

American churches, congregants, and digital platforms are now central arenas in foreign influence operations. Greater transparency and oversight are needed to protect privacy, freedom of worship, and the integrity of public discourse.