U.S. strategic communications firm SKDK has officially terminated its contract with Israeli government, a deal worth $600,000, which was set to run from April 2025 through March 2026.
The contract ended on August 31, 2025, after less than five months in effect, citing that the work “had run its course.”
What SKDK Was Doing According to its Contract with Israeli Government?
Under the contract, SKDK was working in partnership with European agency Havas and Israel’s government advertising body Lapam, serving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Tasks reportedly included media relations efforts to highlight Israeli perspectives on the Gaza war.
Early efforts emphasized specific incidents such as the Bibas family tragedy.
Later, SKDK arranged for Israeli spokespersons to appear on international news programs.
Allegations also surfaced that part of their campaign involved automated tools designed to amplify pro-Israel narratives on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
SKDK has denied involvement in the bot program, stating its work was limited to conventional media relations.
Why SKDK Ended its Contract with Israeli Government?
SKDK has not publicly given a full explanation for the termination.
Their statement simply noted that the contract was terminated because it was “no longer needed,” i.e. “had run its course.”
The decision came immediately following media reports raising concerns over alleged misuse of automation and influence programs.
Impacts & Broader Issues
- PR firms and Foreign Agent Regulation: The contract had been officially registered under U.S. rules governing foreign agents.
The controversy adds to ongoing debates over how PR firms work with government entities and the transparency obligations that come with such work. - Reputation & Ethical Concern: SKDK’s role in politics and media is well known; this was its first time representing a foreign government in this direct fashion.
The contract raised questions about the ethics of narrative management during active conflict, and whether PR efforts should be transparent to the public.
What Comes After the Termination of SKDK Contract with Israeli Government?
Observers expect that the termination of SKDK contract with Israeli Government may push more scrutiny on similar contracts involving message amplification and foreign governments.
SKDK and its parent company Stagwell may face further inquiries, both legal and reputational.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lapam, and Havas have not publicly responded beyond confirming the contract.
Public debate over the role of bots, social media influence, and ethical media strategy is likely to intensify in coming weeks.
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