Israeli creators and influencers on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter will take part in an online diplomacy campaign organized by the Foreign Ministry, Israeli media reported on Friday.
The young influencers, who have a combined 30 million followers, will be put through a hasbara "training" over the next week, where they will be taught how to respond to the dehumanization and delegitimization efforts against Israel on social media.
In addition, the online stars will be taught the correct terminology they should use when responding to anti-Zionist and antisemitic comments received online.
The campaign, as well as the training the influencers will receive, is organized by deputy foreign minister Idan Roll.
אני שמח שבכירי יוצרי התוכן ברשתות הישראלים נרתמו למאמץ לשיפור תדמית ישראל בעולם וישתפו פעולה עם משרד החוץ במטרה להפוך לשגרירים של ישראל ברשתות החברתיות. עם הכישרון הטבעי שלהם לספר סיפור ברשתות ועם ההכשרה של המשרד הם יהיו חלק חשוב מהמלחמה בדה-לגיטמציה של ישראל בעולם pic.twitter.com/36GjCKhA5G
— Idan Roll - עידן רול (@idanroll) December 24, 2021
"I am happy that Israeli content creators have joined our efforts to improve Israel's image across the world," Roll tweeted on Friday. "They will become Israel's social media ambassadors."
"Using their natural talent for storytelling, along with training by the Foreign Ministry, they will become an integral part of our war against the delegitimization of Israel on social media," the deputy foreign minister added.
Or Elkayam, an Israeli influencer with over six million followers, was influenced to become part of Israel's diplomacy campaign during Operation Guardian of the Walls in May, he told Ynet.
"During the operation, I was under constant attacks on my social media accounts after making a video defending Israel on TikTok, which received over half a million views," Elkayam said.
"Some might think TikTok is irrelevant but the truth is that profound, engrossing conversations are being held on the platform with people from all across the globe," he added.
Elkayam will be joined in the campaign by influencers such as Alex Korotaev, Orin Julie and Stephane Legar.