‘It’s All Personal’: State-led mobilisation of diaspora individuals

State-led engagement with diaspora communities abroad has been an increasingly salient feature in international politics. In addition to governments’ attempts to mobilise diaspora collectives, existing research highlights the importance governments attach to key diasporic individuals (diasporans). How do governments decide which diasporans to harness? This article argues that states use tailored and personalised strategies to mobilise diasporans. Building on recent works on diasporic agency and the personal dimensions in diplomacy, the article illustrates the importance of interpersonal relations as an underlying element that shapes decisions regarding who to mobilise and to what goals. We illustrate this argument with archival evidence that details Israel’s targeted engagement with three influential Jewish diasporans in the United States, showing how interpersonal ties facilitate knowledge about the diasporans and trust in their activities.