
The Israeli Foreign Ministry is funding a new initiative aimed at rehabilitating the country's image among young American conservatives, particularly supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) movement. The initiative includes an all-expenses-paid trip to Israel for a group of MAGA-aligned internet influencers in an effort to combat growing skepticism toward Israel among the U.S. right.
The trip is being organized by Israel365, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting support for Israel among Christian communities. According to reports, the Israeli government is spending approximately $86,000 per person for the campaign. In total, 16 social media influencers under the age of 30 have been selected to participate, though their identities have not yet been disclosed.
Each influencer reportedly has a following ranging from hundreds of thousands to several million. During the trip, they will receive briefings on Israeli policy, be provided with pro-Israel messaging tools, and receive guidance on crafting persuasive social media content aligned with Israel’s positions—particularly regarding the war in Gaza. The influencers are expected to create content aimed at countering anti-Israel "narratives" and boosting Israel’s image among their largely conservative audiences.
The initiative has sparked backlash from segments of the American conservative base, particularly within the MAGA and America First movements, where divisions over U.S. support for Israel have become increasingly pronounced. Online, the announcement has intensified infighting between pro- and anti-Israel factions on the right.
Polling data underscores the urgency of the initiative from Israel’s perspective. While older Republican voters remain largely supportive of Israel, younger conservatives are markedly less favorable. Recent surveys show that only 28% of Republicans under 30 hold a positive view of Israel, compared to a bare majority of Republicans under 50.
Yacov Livne, a senior deputy director in the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s Department of Public Diplomacy, has previously commented on the shift, emphasizing that it is “essential for Israel that the [America First] movement adopt a pro-Israel position.”
For decades, Israel enjoyed virtually unchallenged support among American conservatives. However, recent events—including the war in Gaza, growing concerns over foreign influence in U.S. politics, and rising opposition to "forever wars" in the Middle East, increasingly seen as solely to the benefit of Israel—have fueled a reassessment within parts of the Republican base. With generational turnover accelerating, pro-Israel strategists worry that the country could fall underwater on the right within the next five to ten years if the trend continues.