Documentary "The Campaign" charts the rise of anti‑Israel messaging after Oct. 7 attacks
"The Campaign" debuted in Los Angeles theaters on Oct. 9, 2026, presenting a detailed examination of how a coordinated effort has demonized Israel in the wake of the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attacks.
The film, produced by Kari Hollend and co‑directed with Cristina Bishai, draws its analysis from Warren Kinsella’s book The Hidden Hand: The Information War and the Rise of Antisemitic Propaganda, arguing that the shift in public perception is the result of a long‑standing strategy rather than an overnight reaction.
“It didn’t happen overnight. It has been a longstanding strategy for 40 years,” Hollend said.
Hollend notes that anti‑Israel messaging has been woven into educational curricula over decades, creating a foundation that the documentary claims was leveraged after Oct. 7. To illustrate the intensity of the campaign, the filmmakers incorporated graphic footage captured by Hamas militants on that day, a decision Hollend described as “definitely a choice and a difficult one.”
The documentary also critiques mainstream media coverage, naming specific missteps such as a New York Times report that blamed the Israeli Defense Forces for a 2023 hospital bombing and an Associated Press photo that highlighted the desecrated body of Shani Louk. Hollend argues that once such errors spread, “you don’t have the ability to pull them back in.”
Political figures are called out as well; Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib is cited for quickly weaponizing the false hospital report, while a columnist from the “Old Gray Lady” is noted for an unfounded claim that Israeli forces trained dogs to rape Palestinians.
Hollend emphasizes a nuanced stance on content moderation, describing herself as “the most left‑leaning progressive” who values free speech but also recognizes the need for safeguards to protect younger audiences from violent images and hate.
Beyond the theater run, the film will travel to college campuses, embassies and law firms in an effort to reach “young students entering into that phase of peak indoctrination.” A post‑screening Q&A with Hollend, Bishai and investigative journalist Jay Solomon is scheduled for Oct. 12 at the Town Center, with additional U.S. dates slated to follow.
