Tens of thousands of shekels: Cost of Haredi influencer campaign revealed
Against the backdrop of criticism regarding budget allocations, data on the Haredi influencer campaign has been published. How much did the sponsored content cost and what was the reaction of the "B'Tsalmo" organization?
Recommendation and recipe videos by Haredi influencers were published in preparation for the Tisha B'Av fast, accompanied by the caption "In cooperation with the Haredi Authority at the Prime Minister's Office." Following a request under the Freedom of Information Act, the exact amounts spent on the initiative have been revealed: the Prime Minister's Office paid a total of 45,000 shekels for the campaign, which featured six influencers from the sector.
In the official response from the Freedom of Information Unit, no justification or purpose for funding this specific content was provided. The Authority for the Social-Economic Development of the Haredi Sector was established to lead deep economic and social processes while coordinating between government bodies, which raises questions regarding the necessity of this expenditure.
The freedom of information request was submitted by the organization "B'Tsalmo," which frequently criticizes the use of state budgets. The organization stated in response to the disclosure:
"There are so many things to promote in Haredi society—English studies, road safety, and countless other initiatives. It is a pity that the Authority burns money on recipes instead of things that are truly important."
As recalled, the Prime Minister and Likud chairman, Benjamin Netanyahu, continues to shape the party's campaign team ahead of the elections and recently announced the appointment of Hadar Muchtar as head of the youth headquarters.
