Israel’s influence industry in the US

The Listening PostAbdul El-Sayed’s hardline campaign exposes a party, a media ecosystem and a debate over Israel in the US.In the United States, Michigan’s Democratic primary has become a test of how US politics – and the media covering it – are responding to a rapidly changing debate over Israel.Progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed faces establishment candidate Haley Stevens, whose campaign has attracted unprecedented spending from pro-Israel groups. It is part of a wider trend across the US, as the Israeli government steps up efforts to shape public opinion.Contributors: Sarah Leah Whitson – Human rights lawyer Alex Kane – Senior reporter, Jewish Currents James Zogby – Founder, Arab American InstituteOn our radarAn investigation published by Drop Site News this week has revealed the details of Israel’s latest online influence campaign. Tariq Nafi speaks to the report’s author, Nick Cleveland-Stout, about how the Israeli government is influencing AI-powered chatbots to shape the narrative about the country.One Sri Lankan monk’s battle against hate speechFor centuries, Buddhist monks have been influential figures in Sri Lanka, advising kings, shaping national identity and mobilisin...