Shin Bet Announces Takedown of Accounts Alleged to Interfere in Elections
Translated & summarized from Arab48 by baba
Israel's Shin Bet announced the removal of social media accounts allegedly used for foreign interference in the upcoming Knesset elections, five days before the vote. The agency collaborated with the State Prosecutor's Cyber Unit and the Central Elections Committee on the operation. Shin Bet head David Zini had previously warned of foreign interference attempts, including from Iran, Russia, and China. The elections are set for October 27th, with polls showing a tight race.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Shin Bet removed social media accounts allegedly used for foreign interference in the upcoming Knesset elections.
- The operation was conducted five days before the October 27th vote in collaboration with the Cyber Unit and Elections Committee.
- Shin Bet head David Zini had previously warned of interference attempts by Iran, Russia, and China.
- The agency aims to preserve election integrity and thwart illegal foreign influence.
- The announcement comes amid a close electoral race between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc and opposition parties.
Israel's General, the Shin Bet, announced on Thursday the removal of social media accounts it claims were used in foreign attempts to influence the upcoming Knesset elections. The announcement comes five days before the October 27th vote. The Shin Bet stated that the accounts were identified through a joint effort with the State Prosecutor's Cyber Unit and the Central Elections Committee. According to the agency, these accounts engaged in "foreign influence activities" online in the run-up to the elections.
The Shin Bet emphasized that the operation aimed to "preserve the integrity of the elections and thwart attempts at illegal foreign influence." The agency pledged to continue working with relevant bodies to prevent such attempts and safeguard the electoral process. However, the statement did not specify the number of accounts removed, the platforms involved, the suspected countries or entities behind the operation, or the nature and potential impact of the content disseminated.
In July, Shin Bet head David Zini had warned of Iranian and other foreign attempts to interfere in Israeli elections. He alleged that Iran, along with countries including Russia and China, sought to undermine the electoral process, identifying these efforts as the second-highest concern for the agency after large-scale attacks. Zini made these remarks during a closed Knesset subcommittee meeting on intelligence, attended by Central Elections Committee Chairman Judge Noam Solberg and security officials.
During that meeting, Zini stressed the importance of keeping the Shin Bet out of political disputes, while Solberg cautioned against impersonation, disinformation, and manipulation of voter intentions. The Shin Bet's announcement precedes the Knesset elections, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc and opposition parties are vying to form the next government amidst polls indicating no single bloc will secure the necessary 61 seats for a majority.
Separately, the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics announced on Wednesday that approximately 7.3 million citizens are eligible to vote, with about 6.5 million residing in Israel and 810,000 living abroad.
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