Google is under fire after reports revealed it signed a $45 million contract with Israel to promote state-backed advertising campaigns aimed at downplaying the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The deal, exposed by Drop Site News and reported by outlets including Middle East Monitor and TRT World, was signed in June 2025 with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. The campaign is being run through Israel’s Government Advertising Agency (Lapam) and uses Google’s platforms, including YouTube and Display & Video 360, to distribute messaging.
Propaganda campaign allegations
The six-month campaign is described as “hasbara,” a Hebrew term often used for Israeli government public relations. One flagship YouTube ad from Israel’s Foreign Ministry claims: “There is food in Gaza. Any other claim is a lie.” The video has been promoted heavily, reaching over six million views.
Additional funds were reportedly spent on X (formerly Twitter) and platforms such as Outbrain and Teads. Israeli messaging has accused international organisations and Gaza’s authorities of blocking aid, despite UN warnings of famine.
Humanitarian crisis in Gaza
The campaign’s claims stand in stark contrast to UN assessments. In 2025, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification declared Gaza a famine zone, calling it a “man-made humanitarian disaster.”
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, 185 people, including 12 children, died from starvation in August alone, while over 98,000 children and women suffer from severe malnutrition. The ongoing conflict since October 2023 has killed more than 63,700 Palestinians and injured 161,000.
Global backlash
The revelations have sparked widespread criticism. Commentators and activists on X accused Google of helping Israel obscure the humanitarian crisis, with some describing it as “whitewashing genocide.”
Media outlets including The Eastern Herald condemned the deal, warning it sets a precedent for technology companies profiting from geopolitical conflicts. Critics argue Google has a responsibility to ensure its platforms are not used to spread disinformation about humanitarian conditions.
Tech giants under scrutiny
This is not the first time Israel has run advertising campaigns through Google. Reports in 2024 revealed smaller efforts to challenge UN and Gaza narratives. However, the scale of the latest deal raises fresh questions about the influence of digital platforms on international opinion.
Campaigners are urging Google to release the full contract and clarify its role. The company has yet to issue a detailed statement on the matter.
As the campaign continues, the controversy highlights growing concerns about the role of big tech firms in shaping narratives during conflicts.
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