Algeria's Controversial Pact with Israeli-Linked Lobby: Unraveling Its Paradox Over Palestine

Algerian authorities face accusations of hypocrisy over their stance on Palestine,
balancing pro-Palestinian rhetoric with actions that contradict their official position.
A French magazine revealed that Algeria funded a lobbying firm linked to “Israel” to enhance its image in the U.S.

This deal comes as the Israeli Occupation wages an ongoing war on Gaza. Algeria has, also, banned public protests and marches in support of the Palestinian cause.

Blatant Contradiction

Jeune Afrique featured an eye-opening report titled “In Washington, Algeria Signs with a Lobbying Firm Linked to Israel,” by Algerian journalist Farid Alilat. The article disclosed that the Algerian government, represented by its ambassador in Washington, has entered into a lobbying contract with an American firm.

The report, published on September 19, 2024, noted that while the partnership is a standard diplomatic practice, the selected firm has multiple connections with “Israel,” raising both eyebrows and concerns given Algeria’s stance on Palestine.

According to the magazine, the contract was signed by the Algerian Ambassador to Washington, Sabri Boukadoum, in early September 2024 with BGR Group (BGR Government Affairs, LLC), a lobbying and communications giant founded in 1991.
The firm works with nearly 200 clients globally and is tasked with lobbying on behalf of Algeria.

The contract, which took effect on September 10, is valued at $720,000 annually,
excluding additional expenses the firm may incur in its activities.

The signed document shows that Ambassador Boukadoum—appointed to Washington in October 2023 after serving as foreign minister from 2020 to 2021—has entrusted BGR Group with managing government relations and public affairs on behalf of Algeria, particularly in its bilateral relations with the U.S.

American media reported that the firm earned $41.70 million in 2023, up from $39.22 million the previous year. For 2024, BGR has already generated $21.95 million in revenue.

Jeune Afrique highlighted that Algeria's choice is surprising not only because of BGR's influence in Washington, but also due to its known connections with “Israel” and Israeli entities. Among its key advisors is former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.

The magazine also noted that in 2020, BGR actively worked to normalize relations between “Israel” and Bahrain under the Abraham Accords. Documents show Bahrain paid $730,000 to BGR in 2023 for its services.

In the wake of Operation al-Aqsa Flood on October 7, 2023, BGR publicly declared its “support for the Israeli people” and made donations to Magen David Adom, Israeli Occupation’s national emergency service, though the amount was not disclosed.

Meanwhile, the magazine questioned whether Algeria’s diplomatic mission in Washington thoroughly examined BGR's activities before contracting its services.
Algeria, which offers unconditional support for the Palestinian cause, considers “Israel” a fierce adversary.

The report noted that since October 7, Algeria has repeatedly affirmed its support for the Palestinian people and the Palestinian Resistance Movement (Hamas).
Yahya Sinwar, Hamas's new leader, even sent a congratulatory message to President Abdelmadjid Tebboune upon his re-election.

Clear Stance

Algerian media has largely remained silent about the French magazine's report; however, Algerie Maintenant (Algeria Now) published an article by editor Mohamed Qadri on September 22, 2024, addressing the accusations against Algeria and attempting to justify its contract with the pro-”Israel” lobbying firm.

Qadri stated that the magazine’s focus on specific figures within the firm, particularly the Zionist Ehud Barak, implies that Algeria is in league with him,
in a clear attempt to mislead regarding Algeria's positions in the U.N. Security Council that have irked the Israeli Occupation.

He argued that Algeria's engagement with a major lobbying firm directly bothers its enemies and adversaries.
“Everyone knows that following Operation al-Aqsa Flood, support for the Zionist entity has been voiced by the U.S. government, Congress members, multinational corporations, and universities, including NGOs.”

“In addition to the aid provided by Washington, all major American companies announced their donations, particularly to Magen David Adom, which is equivalent to the Red Crescent,” he added.

Qadri asserted that boycotting these donating companies would be akin to boycotting Boeing, General Electric, Google, and others, which contributed millions to Magen David Adom. 

“From this perspective, working with the U.S. government—the primary ally of the Zionist entity [the Israeli Occupation] and the main supplier of arms to its military—should be reconsidered.”

The Algerian editor emphasized that the article published in the French magazine cannot be taken lightly, given its long-standing animosity toward Algeria; its author is notorious for his subversive and consistently critical stance against the nation.

“It is worth noting that Algeria's position and diplomatic approach are very clear, evident daily in its actions at the U.N. Security Council and other international forums, not to mention the active support from Algerian leaders and citizens,” said Qadri.

“The evident fear among Algeria's opponents is seeing openly hostile lobbying groups against our country in Washington currently face counteractions.”

In contrast, Algerian political analyst and opposition figure Walid Kabir argued that the regime's contract with the pro-Zionist firm “confirms the falseness of its position and slogans regarding Palestine.” He told Al-Estiklal that the claim of being on the side of a just Palestine is merely for domestic media marketing.

“This contract is a form of normalization with Israel, regardless of the Algerian authorities' attempts to deny or disguise this,” the political analyst said.

“The underlying motive is the regime's desire to win the favor of Western powers, especially Washington, which underscores its hypocrisy, particularly as it does not permit Algerian citizens to hold demonstrations or large rallies in support of Palestine.”

Kabir warned that “the Algerian media's disregard for the report stems from the embarrassment they found themselves in and the contradiction it created between official rhetoric and another intended to be secret.”

‘Investing in Pressure’

The covert collaboration between Algerian authorities and certain companies or institutions linked to “Israel” has been the focus of various media reports.

The Moroccan newspaper Assahifa revealed in its April 2024 print edition the contents of 82 documents that prove the connections between numerous American politicians, from the White House and Congress, and the Algerian lobbying aimed primarily at shaping public opinion and exerting maximum pressure on the U.S. administration.

It added that among these documents are paid contracts with an organization linked to U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, who is currently running for the presidency as the Democratic Party's candidate against her Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump.

According to the newspaper, these contracts involve Algeria's oil company Sonatrach and the lobbying firm International Policy Solutions, which has ties to several American legislators.

In another document dating back to 2019, registered with the U.S. Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, it was revealed that until August of that year, the contract linking the Algerian government to Keene Consulting stipulated a payment of $30,000 monthly to the American firm specialized in lobbying.

Keene Consulting received $180,000, with its source clearly stated as the Algerian government.

This document explicitly mentioned that among the tasks performed by the firm was to coordinate activities within the United States aimed at presenting a modern image of Algeria and its government and its role in regional and international affairs, while keeping U.S. decision-makers constantly informed of developments.