The Stream

Tweet for Israel

Israel will pay college students to covertly promote it online.

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A photograph from the Israeli Government Press office on 31 December 2012 shows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a computer as he visits the opening of a program to train young Israelis in cyber warfare, in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon. (EPA/KOBI GIDEON)

Israel is taking their media relations battle online by enlisting Israeli college students to bolster its image. In exchange, students will be paid in scholarship money. This is part of the Prime Minister’s Office and the National Union of Israeli Students’ plan to participate in online public diplomacy. 
 
The government plans to set aside three million Israeli shekels to fund this project. Students involved will be expected to post content on various social media sites that boosts Israel’s public image, but they will not be able to publicize their involvement with the Prime Minister’s Office.