Foreign Actors Seek to Sway Israeli Elections Via Digital Influence Campaigns
Translated & summarized from 0404 by baba
Foreign actors, notably Iran, are actively attempting to influence Israeli elections through digital disinformation campaigns, creating fake personas and spreading divisive content online. These operations aim to erode public trust and discourage voting, as highlighted by a state comptroller's report and research identifying Iranian-linked networks. Beyond online tactics, direct political pressure from Palestinian Authority leaders on Israeli Arab parties has also been reported. The influence efforts, which have historical precedents in Israeli and international elections, focus on sowing discord and undermining democratic processes by making citizens distrust each other.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Foreign entities, particularly Iran, are intensifying digital influence campaigns to sway Israeli elections.
- These operations use fake profiles and bots to spread disinformation and deepen societal divisions.
- A state comptroller's report noted 58% of Israelis get news from social media, increasing vulnerability.
- Research identified an Iranian-linked network of fake personas and media channels active in Israeli political discourse.
- Direct political pressure from Palestinian Authority leaders on Israeli Arab parties has also been reported.
- The primary goal is to erode trust and discourage voting, rather than necessarily favoring a specific party.
Foreign entities, particularly Iran, are intensifying efforts to influence Israeli public opinion and elections through sophisticated digital campaigns, aiming to erode trust in the democratic process and sow division. These operations often employ fake profiles, bots, and coordinated messaging across social media platforms, creating seemingly authentic Israeli personas to spread disinformation and amplify societal rifts.
A state comptroller's report highlighted that 58% of Israelis get their news from social media, making the country particularly vulnerable. Since the start of the "Swords of Iron" war, Iran and other hostile actors have escalated influence operations, increasing anxiety, deepening polarization, and undermining Israel's legitimacy. In September 2024, Iran and Hezbollah reportedly sent five million text messages to Israelis with false warnings to seek shelter.
Research by Golden Owl in September 2024 analyzed over 489,000 online items, identifying a core network of 35 accounts, 32 personas posing as Israelis, and three Hebrew-language media channels linked to the Iranian regime. These accounts exhibited Iranian connections, including using an Iranian version of the X app and coordinated text copying. The network generated over 947,000 exposures and 9,112 interactions, with hundreds of real accounts sharing content, some of which was highly political, targeting Prime Minister Netanyahu and alleging state decline.
These influence operations are not new and have been observed in previous Israeli elections. A 2022 INSS study mapped similar Iranian-linked networks that aimed to split the Religious Zionist party and later promoted boycotting elections. Post-election, networks spread claims of fraud and encouraged protests. The strategy often focuses on discouraging voting or increasing animosity between opposing sides rather than endorsing a specific party.
Beyond digital manipulation, direct political interference has been reported. In August, Palestinian Authority leaders, including Abu Mazen, allegedly pressured Israeli Arab parties like Hadash, Ta'al, and Balad to unite for elections, with the explicit goal of ousting Netanyahu. While some Israeli parties stated their decisions were for the Arab public's benefit, the PA's alleged message was a clear attempt by a foreign leadership to intervene directly in Israeli politics.
Financial influence is another tactic. In the 2015 Israeli elections, the organization OneVoice, which received nearly $350,000 from the U.S. State Department for peace negotiations, allegedly used its infrastructure and network to support the V15 campaign, aimed at unseating the incumbent government. Similar tactics have been observed globally, including Russian interference in U.S. elections and Iranian hacking operations targeting U.S. presidential campaigns. The primary goal of these operations is often to erode mutual trust and deepen societal divisions, making citizens question the authenticity of online interactions and ultimately harming democratic discourse.
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