Fake Social Media Network Pushed Noam Party's Agenda, Report Claims
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
An investigation by "Fake Reporter" claims to have exposed a network of hundreds of fake social media accounts on X and Facebook promoting the Noam party and its chairman, Avi Maoz. The network allegedly creates a false impression of widespread public support, targets other coalition politicians, and uses AI-generated profiles and stolen images. Coordinated activity and rapid responses to party posts were observed, with the network also targeting the Haredi public. The Noam party denied the allegations, calling them false and baseless, and asserted that their activists are genuine.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Hundreds of fake social media accounts allegedly promoted the Israeli Noam party and its leader, Avi Maoz.
- The network aimed to create a false impression of broad public support and boost the party's electoral chances.
- Accounts used AI-generated profiles and stolen images, posing as secular or traditional Israelis.
- Coordinated activity and rapid, supportive comments were observed across platforms.
- The network also targeted the Haredi public with tailored content and simulated support.
- The Noam party denied the allegations, calling them false and baseless.
A "Fake Reporter" investigation has uncovered an inauthentic influence network of hundreds of accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, allegedly working to promote the messages of the Noam party, led by Avi Maoz. The network aims to create a false impression of broad public support for the party, including among demographics not typically aligned with its base. The operation, which began this month, also seeks to bolster the party's chances of crossing the electoral threshold.
Beyond generating a perception of widespread backing, the network disseminates Noam's platform on strengthening Jewish identity in education, including content opposing the integration of Arab teachers. It also targets other coalition parties and politicians, such as Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Zehut party chairman Moshe Feiglin. These attacks criticize the politicians for neglecting Jewish identity in education and for their stances on religion, state, and LGBTQ+ issues, aiming to highlight Noam's distinctiveness.
Most of the network's accounts were created in October, many using generic names and AI-generated profile pictures. A significant portion present themselves as secular or traditional individuals from central Israel, likely to suggest that support for Noam transcends traditional sectors. Some accounts use names that do not match their account handles and post content from other online sources to appear credible, such as one account using a photo of a shawarma stand from a 2017 article.
A key finding is the coordinated activity among these accounts, with supportive comments appearing within minutes of official Noam party posts or polls. For instance, a post from the official Noam party account was shared in a WhatsApp group, receiving numerous positive reactions from network accounts in under ten minutes. Similarly, a poll shared by the party's number two, Shimon Tobol, showing 5% considering voting for Noam, also garnered a rapid wave of timed responses.
The network also targets the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) public, operating on a Facebook page created in early October that gained over 3,300 followers in about ten days, a rapid increase suggesting inauthentic activity. This page shares news tailored for the Haredi community alongside content promoting the Noam party, with network accounts posting favorable comments to simulate support within this demographic as well. Students from the Har HaMor yeshiva, associated with Noam, told Ynet that their peers are active in liking and commenting on social media posts to support the party.
The Noam party responded to the allegations, calling them "completely false and baseless." They stated that their activists are real, active in the field, and bring genuine public support, contrasting themselves with other parties whose activists hide behind online profiles. The party believes these claims are an attempt to slander their activists out of fear of the party's growing strength and vowed not to be drawn into smear campaigns.