Likud Accused of Secret Russian-Language Smear Campaign Against Lieberman
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
The organization Fake Reporter has accused the Likud party of orchestrating a secret smear campaign against Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman using thousands of Russian-language text messages. The messages directed recipients to a website with negative content about Lieberman, violating election advertising laws. Yisrael Beiteinu has filed a police complaint and appealed to the Central Elections Committee to identify and fund the campaign's operators. The company that allegedly sent the messages indicated they were on behalf of the Likud.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- The Likud party is accused of distributing thousands of Russian-language text messages against Avigdor Lieberman.
- The messages linked to a website containing negative and allegedly false information about Lieberman.
- Yisrael Beiteinu has filed a police complaint and approached the Central Elections Committee.
- The messages were allegedly sent via the company "Pulse" on behalf of the Likud.
- Fake Reporter stated the campaign violates election law and vowed to expose such operations.
An investigation by the organization Fake Reporter 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, including accusations about his career, family, and criminal record, and questioned his suitability for prime minister. The website, liberman.live, did not disclose its funding or operators.
Before the investigation's findings were published, Yisrael Beiteinu filed a complaint with the police and approached the Central Elections Committee. The party demanded an investigation into the campaign's organizers and funders, asserting that the messages violated election law by failing to identify the source of the political advertising. Yisrael Beiteinu also sent a warning letter to the Likud's legal advisor, Ilan Bombach, demanding an end to the distribution, removal of website content, and disclosure of all involved parties, including documentation related to suppliers and payments.
According to Fake Reporter, the messages were sent via a company called "Pulse." In response to an inquiry from Yisrael Beiteinu, the company reportedly stated that the messages were sent on behalf of the Likud party and directed further questions to an individual named Avner, identified as the party's CIO. Yisrael Beiteinu claims these findings strengthen their suspicion that the Likud is also behind the website's creation and content funding.
Fake Reporter expressed disappointment with the alleged actions of the ruling party, stating, "It is very regrettable that this is the way of the ruling party in Israel, to repeatedly and blatantly violate the law." The organization added that while the distributed messages cannot be recalled, this does not justify the continued presence of the content on the website, and vowed to continue exposing influence operations aimed at manipulating public opinion before elections.
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