It their names were disclosed, their influence would evaporate. However, the law seems quite clear that they have a legal obligation to disclose. From Nick Cleveland-Stout at responsiblestatecraft.org:
We actually don’t know and that’s likely illegal
On Tuesday, RS published a story about how Israel is paying a cohort of 14-18 social media influencers around $7,000 per post to promote the country’s image in the American public. The campaign, nicknamed “Esther Project,” is coordinated by a newly created firm working out of a Capitol Hill rowhouse called Bridges Partners, and is slated to run through November.
However, as of publication, it is unclear who the influencers themselves are. According to the contract, they were supposed to begin posting on behalf of Israel in July, yet have not registered as foreign agents. By not registering as foreign agents and disclosing their names, the influencers are likely in violation of the U.S.’s premier foreign lobbying law, the Foreign Agents Registration Act. FARA experts say they must also mark their content on social media so that viewers know it is content sponsored by Israel.
Ben Freeman, the Director of the Democratizing Foreign Policy program at the Quincy Institute, said that the law in this case is straightforward. “If you’re being paid by a foreign government to influence the American public on that government’s behalf you should register under FARA.”
Freeman added, “If these influencers are knowingly accepting money from the Israeli government to produce content for the Israeli government that’s being viewed by thousands or millions of their followers in the U.S., it’s not at all clear why they would not be required to register under FARA.”
Currently, the Bridges Partners contract only lists one registered foreign agent: Uri Steinberg, a consultant who owns a 50% stake in the firm.
A lawyer who specializes in FARA who requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter explained that the influencers themselves are required to register as foreign agents.
If only South Park was still funny.
Go influence yourself would be a good one.
Jack Handy.