Foreign Bot Networks Targeting Israeli Politics Revealed in New Report
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Foreign bot networks are actively trying to influence Israeli politics.
- These bots aim to deepen existing societal divisions and spread disinformation.
- The networks were active during the October 7th attack and have resurfaced for elections.
- Iran, Qatar, and Turkey are identified as potential actors behind the operations.
- The goal is to erode trust and exacerbate schisms within Israeli society.
A new investigative report by Kan News has uncovered evidence of foreign bot networks actively attempting to influence Israel's political discourse, particularly ahead of upcoming elections. These networks, identified as being linked to foreign entities, first gained prominence on October 7th by spreading narratives against Israel. The investigation, based on research by an American firm, revealed that approximately 40,000 bots were deployed following the Hamas attack, disseminating anti-Israel messages that garnered an estimated 531 million views within 48 hours. These bots, which impersonate real users through automated software, were used to manipulate public perception, including distorting accounts of the Hamas attack and the Gaza hospital explosion. The report suggests that Iran is a primary actor behind many of these influence operations, with contributions also attributed to Qatar and Turkey.
According to the investigation, some of these bot accounts, after a period of inactivity, have resurfaced and are now engaged in Israel's domestic political scene. They have reportedly altered their identities, adopting Israeli personas and viewpoints to appear as genuine citizens. A review of around 55,000 profiles involved in Israeli political discussions identified tens of thousands as bots. These bots primarily operate by commenting on posts from real Israeli users, injecting extreme messages and exacerbating existing societal divisions. The research indicates this activity spans various political factions, targeting both the government and its opponents.
The researchers emphasized that the presence of bots supporting a particular politician does not imply their direct involvement. Instead, the foreign actors aim to exploit and amplify existing rifts within Israeli society, fostering animosity between different groups. The strategy involves amplifying existing Israeli discourse to create the illusion of widespread support for certain viewpoints. The ultimate goal, as presented in the report, is not necessarily to elect a specific candidate but to erode trust within Israeli society and deepen existing societal schisms.
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