A Wall Street Journal investigation has revealed that a large‑scale foreign influence campaign used AI‑generated text messages to target millions of Americans, operating through an organization calling itself “Friends of Peace.”
AI‑Generated Messages Sent Nationwide
According to the WSJ, the operation sent political survey‑style messages from accounts using names such as Emma, Sarah, and John. The texts asked recipients about U.S.–Israeli relations and ongoing U.S. discussions with Iran, presenting themselves as part of a grassroots peace initiative.
The newspaper found that the messages were generated using artificial intelligence and distributed through a digital network linked to longtime Trump adviser Brad Parscale, who previously ran Donald Trump’s 2016 digital campaign.
Funding From the Israeli Government
The WSJ reports that the project is funded by the Israeli government under a contract worth more than $45 million.
Additional reporting, including analysis published by Israeli Ynet News, indicates that Israel has hired multiple U.S. firms and registered dozens of agents to support its influence efforts, making it one of the largest foreign spenders on U.S. public‑opinion operations.
Campaign Objective: Shift U.S. Attitudes Toward Israel
The WSJ states that the campaign’s central goal is to reshape American public opinion in Israel’s favor, particularly as recent polling shows a sharp decline in Israel’s standing.
A Pew Research Center survey cited in the report found that 60% of American adults now hold an unfavorable view of Israel, a shift attributed to Israel’s ongoing wars in Gaza and across the region.
The influence effort includes:
- AI‑generated mass texting
- Conservative media advertising
- Outreach to U.S. social‑media influencers
- Digital content designed to shape responses from popular AI chatbots
U.S. Officials Raise Concerns
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, cited by the Wall Street Journal, accused Israeli officials of attempting to manipulate American public opinion to influence Washington’s negotiations with Iran. He did not reference Gaza or Palestinians in the remarks reported.
Broader Context
The WSJ findings come amid Israel’s expanded global PR spending, with more than $700 million allocated in 2026 for worldwide influence operations, according to the Palestine Chronicle’s summary of the WSJ report.
