Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo: shutterstock The government unanimously approved today (Sunday) the decision proposal to add 545 million shekels to Israeli public diplomacy worldwide for the year 2025.
The budget increase was agreed upon as part of the agreement between the 'National Right' faction and 'Likud', stipulating that Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa'ar, will be responsible for international public diplomacy and the ministry will consequently receive a significant budget increase.
Minister Sa'ar will lead an action plan to manage the cognitive campaign. Last week, he directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General, Eden Bar-Tal, to conduct staff work to formulate a coherent strategy and action plan.
The program will include - among other things - research activities and public relations companies, social networks, campaign management, conferences and events, bringing delegations of opinion leaders to Israel, activities on campuses worldwide, and political-legal activities.
"Israeli public diplomacy and cognitive warfare have not received the necessary resources and tools for decades for this critical and life-saving campaign. I am determined to change that," noted Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and added: "Therefore, I insisted on adding a dedicated significant budget of 545 million shekels to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs budget for Israeli public diplomacy. I believe that every shekel dedicated to this purpose is an investment, not an expense, and it will strengthen Israel and its position in the world."
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar. Photo: Shlomi Amsalem, Ministry of Foreign Affairs