Hacked Docs Reveal Israeli Plan to Evade U.S. Foreign Agent Law

Leaked documents from the Israeli government reveal efforts to circumvent the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which mandates disclosure of foreign lobbying activities in the U.S. The documents, obtained through a hack of the Israeli justice ministry, indicate that Israeli officials were concerned about the implications of FARA for American groups collaborating with them. Legal memos from 2018 suggested creating a new American nonprofit to facilitate Israeli advocacy without triggering FARA registration, which could damage the reputation of involved organizations and deter donors. The strategy involved a "PR commando unit" aimed at countering the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement and influencing U.S. policy. The Israeli government engaged a prominent law firm to assess FARA risks, particularly in light of increased scrutiny following investigations into Trump administration officials. The documents also highlight concerns about the potential backlash if the Israeli government's legal strategies became public. The leaked information has raised questions about the legality of Israeli influence operations in the U.S. and the implications for American nonprofits involved in these efforts.

- Leaked documents show Israeli efforts to evade FARA compliance.

- A new American nonprofit was proposed to facilitate Israeli advocacy without scrutiny.

- Concerns about reputational damage and donor reluctance were central to the strategy.

- The Israeli government engaged legal experts to assess risks associated with FARA.

- The revelations raise questions about the legality of foreign influence in U.S. politics.