The government approved on Tuesday the establishment of a new Masa program called Masa Diplomacy, which will provide Jewish youth in the Diaspora with the knowledge, tools, and skills for Israel advocacy and public diplomacy in an international sphere, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Foreign Affairs Ministry announced in a joint press release.
The program, proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar, stemmed from the rising antisemitism and disinformation surrounding Israel, the government said.
The government also approved a joint allocation of NIS 1 million to sponsor scholarships for roughly 70 participants in the 2026-2027 academic year.
Masa Diplomacy will provide its participants with content days on online advocacy, workshops to develop their public speaking skills, educational tours, seminars led by active diplomats and other experts, and a capstone project evaluated by MFA officials.
Beyond its educational opportunities, ‘Masa Diplomacy’ will further strengthen its participants’ connection to the State of Israel and the Jewish people. The program will be approximately six weeks long.
“We will continue to invest in strengthening the bond with Diaspora Jewry and in solidifying Israel's status and strength in the world,” Netanyahu said. He added that young Diaspora Jews play a central role in pushing back against antisemitism and incitement against the State of Israel.
"We ascribe utmost importance to deepening the connection and dialogue with the young leadership of Diaspora Jewry,” Sa’ar said.
How was the program created?
Masa Diplomacy stemmed from a successful pilot project led by Masa and the Foreign Affairs Ministry during the 2025-2026 academic year. Its high demand encouraged ‘Masa’ to turn the initiative into a permanent program, ‘Masa Diplomacy.’
"We welcome the Government's decision, which reflects the understanding that diplomacy begins with young people from around the world who choose to come to Israel,” CEO of Masa Meir Holtz said.
Masa was launched 22 years ago as a joint project of the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Prime Minister’s Office to connect young Jews ages 16 to 40 with life in Israel through gap year, internship, and volunteer programs.
Sa’ar also commented, “The 'Masa Diplomacy' program is a unique educational platform that allows leading young people to learn about the country's challenges firsthand, and to build solid bridges and discourse between Israel and the world."