Likud Linked to Russian-Language Smear Campaign Against Lieberman

By דפנה ליאל

Translated & summarized from Mako by baba

CenterCharged tone

Hebrew · 7 newsrooms covering

An investigation by Fake Reporter alleges the Likud party distributed thousands of Russian-language text messages containing negative information about Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu. The messages linked to a website with defamatory content, without disclosing its source. Yisrael Beiteinu has filed a police complaint and contacted the Central Elections Committee, demanding an investigation into the campaign's organizers and funders. The party claims the messages violate election law and seeks their cessation and the removal of the website's content.

The story in 6 lines · by baba

The Likud party is accused of orchestrating a smear campaign against Avigdor Lieberman via Russian-language text messages.
Thousands of messages linked to a website featuring negative content about Lieberman, questioning his suitability for prime minister.
Yisrael Beiteinu filed a police complaint and contacted the Central Elections Committee regarding the campaign.
The messages were allegedly sent via the company "Pulse" on behalf of the Likud party.
Fake Reporter condemned the alleged violation of election law by the ruling party.
Yisrael Beiteinu demands the cessation of the campaign and removal of the website's content.

Likud Linked to Russian-Language Smear Campaign Against Lieberman — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

A "fake reporter" investigation has revealed that the Likud party is allegedly behind the distribution of thousands of Russian-language text messages targeting Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman. The messages, sent last Thursday, linked to a website containing negative content about Lieberman, his career, family, and alleged criminal past, questioning his suitability for prime minister. The website, liberman.live, did not disclose its publisher.

Before the investigation's findings were published, Yisrael Beiteinu filed a complaint with the police and approached the Central Elections Committee, demanding an investigation into the campaign's organizers and funders. The party claims the messages, which spread widely among Russian-speaking Israelis, contained false and defamatory content against Lieberman and his family.

According to Yisrael Beiteinu's legal correspondence with the Likud's legal advisor, Ilan Bombach, the messages were sent via a company called "Pulse." When contacted, the company reportedly stated that the messages were sent on behalf of the Likud party and directed inquiries to an individual named Avner, identified as the party's CIO.

Yisrael Beiteinu asserts that these findings strengthen their suspicion that the Likud is also responsible for establishing and funding the website. The party has demanded the Likud cease distributing the messages, remove the website's content, reveal all involved parties, and preserve all related documentation, including correspondence with suppliers, invoices, and delivery records.

Fake Reporter stated that it is "very regrettable" that the ruling party in Israel "repeatedly and blatantly violates the law." The organization added that while the distributed messages cannot be recalled, this does not justify the continued display of the content on the website, and vowed to continue exposing influence operations aimed at manipulating public opinion before elections.