AI Election Concerns: 71% of Israelis Encounter Fake News Online

A new survey by the Israeli Internet Association ahead of the October 27, 2026, Knesset elections reveals significant public concern over online manipulation and misinformation. Approximately 71% of respondents reported encountering false information related to the election campaign, with only about 15% stating they had not seen any.

Concerns about escalating online violence during the political discourse are also high, with 69% of the public fearing a significant increase. The survey further indicates that impersonation is a prevalent issue, as 56.8% of Israelis reported encountering fake or impersonating accounts, while just 20% claimed never to have seen such profiles.

Additionally, the survey highlighted the growing impact of artificial intelligence in harmful online activities. Nearly half of the public (48.2%) reported frequently or occasionally encountering AI used to harm or defame individuals, with an additional 25.6% experiencing it rarely. These findings suggest that impersonation, disinformation, and malicious AI use are current realities that could significantly influence the upcoming elections.

The survey also identified demographic differences in exposure to disinformation. Men reported higher exposure than women, with 75.3% of men encountering false information compared to 67.3% of women. While Jewish respondents reported higher frequent exposure (34.6%) than Arab respondents (20.3%), exposure to disinformation across the political spectrum was relatively consistent, with 73.3% on the right, 69.5% in the center, and 68.9% on the left reporting occasional or frequent encounters.

In response to these findings, the Israeli Internet Association has released a guide to help the public navigate online disinformation. They recommend verifying sources, cross-referencing information, and critically evaluating content. The association also cautioned against relying solely on AI for political decision-making, emphasizing that AI tools can be helpful for research and comparison but are not objective sources and can produce errors or biased information. They advise using AI for comparative analysis and information gathering, always verifying the AI's sources and cross-referencing with reliable, up-to-date information.