Graphic pro-Israel ads targetting children appear in video games, says report

Pro-Israel advertisements with graphic content are appearing in video games targeted at children, Reuters reported.

Reuters spoke to a family whose six-year-old's puzzle game on his Android phone was interrupted by a video showing Hamas fighters, terrified Israeli families, and blurred graphic footage.

Over a black screen, a message from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs told the first grader: “WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT THOSE WHO HARM US PAY A HEAVY PRICE.”

The news agency has recorded at least five instances throughout Europe in which the same pro-Israel video was displayed to gamers, including numerous children. This video contained images of rocket attacks, a blazing explosion, and gunmen wearing masks.

Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ head of digital, David Saranga, told Reuters that the footage was part of a larger advocacy drive by the Israeli foreign ministry, which has spent $1.5m on internet ads since 7 October.