Full Breakdown
US FARA Filings Detail $1 Million Israel-Linked Communications Effort
8/18/2026, 12:48:02 AM
Core Findings from Justice Department Filings
U.S. Justice Department filings show that New York-based media firm Piro Inc. registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) to work for Havas Media Germany GmbH on behalf of the Israel Government Advertising Agency (LaPam). The filings, first reported by *Politico* and later examined by *The Jerusalem Post*, disclose a $1 million communications arrangement aimed at U.S. audiences. The original agreement, dated April 30, 2026, outlined a $900 000 “Digital Storytelling Pilot” that included digital-content strategy, creative development, video-production oversight, and performance analysis for distribution on unspecified websites and short-form video platforms. An amendment filed on July 29 added a “Fact Based Content Initiative” worth $100 000, dated July 20, to produce “accurate, substantiated, and accessible content” for the Israel Foreign Ministry.
Funding Breakdown and Personnel
The pilot’s budget allocated $190 000 for strategy and content development, $80 000 for production oversight, $400 000 for video production, $95 000 for distribution advice and evaluation, $35 000 for media consultation, and $100 000 for measurement and analytics. The additional initiative was divided into two $50 000 monthly installments. The filings name Eran Shayovitch and Guy Getz as the Israeli officials with whom Piro works. Piro’s co-founders Daniel Rosenberg and Timothy Piper each own 50 % of the company, and Carlos Cruz is also listed as providing strategic communications services. A subcontractor, Hai Tran, registered on July 22, is described as a “Digital Strategist” paid a flat fee of $50 000 for work that may include communications intended to influence the U.S. public.
Hanover Institute’s Role and AI Data Integration
The Hanover Institute for Public Policy, described on its website as “government funded,” publishes data-driven reports on antisemitism and Israel-Palestine topics. The institute’s reports are distributed by Piro under the same FARA registration and are filed with the Justice Department. Tests by *Politico* and *The Jerusalem Post* found that AI chatbots such as ChatGPT and Perplexity cite Hanover’s material when answering queries about the Israeli Defense Forces or Gaza, indicating that the institute’s output is feeding large-language-model training data.
Verbatim Quote
“Piro, Inc. will provide strategic communications and media relations services in connection with LaPam's engagement on behalf of the State of Israel.” — Specifically
