Pro-Israel groups influence US campus Gaza debate

Israel has invested heavily in influencing US legislation and university discussions regarding Israel and Palestine, as revealed by documents examined by The Guardian. Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli oversaw 32m shekels ($8.6m) funding over 80 programs for Voices of Israel, a group actively suppressing pro-Palestine views in US universities and media since the Gaza conflict began.

Previously focused on BDS legislation, Voices, formerly known as Concert, aims to promote Israel’s image under the guidance of ex-Israeli ambassador Gilad Erdan. ISGAP, funded by Voices, was cited in a congressional hearing at Harvard, leading to the resignation of the university’s president over alleged antisemitism.

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Organizations like CyberWell are pushing social media platforms to censor pro-Palestine content, while the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs commissioned a social media campaign targeting US lawmakers. Meanwhile, Israel-backed groups are also working to define and legislate against antisemitism in the US.

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