Report: U.S. PR Firm Runs $600,000 Pro-Israel Bot Campaign

Date: 16 September 2025 - 21:48

News ID: ۱۴۳۵۷۷

WASHINGTON (Dispatches) -- A U.S.-based public relations firm with deep ties to the Democratic Party is running a large-scale pro-Israel propaganda campaign across major social media platforms, using bots and influencer outreach to push Tel Aviv’s messaging, according to a new report by investigative outlet Sludge.
The Washington-based firm SKDKnickerbocker LLC, or SKDK, reportedly signed a $600,000 contract with the Israeli regime five months ago. The contract was disclosed through a filing under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), revealing that SKDK is subcontracting through the French PR firm Havas, under the umbrella of U.S. parent company Stagwell Global.
The campaign targets platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn with what Sludge describes as a “bot-based program” designed to “flood the zone” with Israeli foreign ministry-approved content.
Automated tools are used to amplify posts, while human influencers are also coached to deliver pro-Israel messaging. Outreach efforts extend to major media outlets, including CNN, BBC, Fox News, and the Associated Press.
The campaign mirrors previous influence operations run on behalf of Tel Aviv. Earlier this month, The Grayzone reported on an Israeli intelligence scheme aimed at recruiting Iranians, which used U.S. comedian Desi Banks and the exiled son of Iran’s former monarch as part of its campaign.
A May 2024 Al Jazeera investigation revealed AI-powered “superbots” responding to pro-Palestinian accounts with scripted Israeli talking points, using large language models to simulate human interaction.
SKDK, now officially registered as a foreign agent for Israel, counts Tel Aviv as its only foreign government client. Its parent company, Stagwell, was founded by Mark Penn, a longtime ally of Israel’s Likud party. Stagwell also owns Targeted Victory, a Republican-aligned firm performing similar pro-Israel media outreach.