Israeli State Comptroller Reveals Lack of Government Responsibility for Foreign Influence on Social Media

The Israeli State Comptroller's report, published on Tuesday, exposes a critical national gap: there is no designated government authority responsible for countering foreign influence on social media platforms. Despite early warnings and initial efforts to develop solutions, these initiatives were neglected over the years. The outgoing Comptroller, Matanyahu Englman, who ended his term recently, issued the report amid a freeze on his successor's appointment due to legal challenges. Englman is permitted to submit reports drafted before his departure.

The report highlights the growing threat posed by hostile actors, notably Iran, who covertly exploit social media to deepen societal divisions, spread fear, and manipulate public perception in Israel. It warns that this threat intensifies ahead of elections, with foreign entities potentially skewing results and undermining public trust in democratic processes. The rise of AI tools further exacerbates the risk by enabling the rapid creation and dissemination of highly credible fake identities and content.

Nine years after the threat was first identified in Israel, the report finds no national policy or leading government body coordinating a response. Although various agencies, including the Shin Bet, National Security Council, Cyber Directorate, and the Intelligence Ministry, recognized the danger and initiated inter-agency efforts around 2017-2018, these efforts stalled. The Intelligence Ministry's role was disrupted by its closure in 2024, and the responsibility for foreign influence was not reassigned effectively. A cyber directorate proposal for a national action plan submitted to Prime Minister Netanyahu in 2024 remained unexamined for a year until forwarded to the National Security Council in mid-2025.

Data from 2021-2024 show a sharp increase in government requests to remove online content amid the "Sword of Iron" conflict, but there is no detailed tracking of requests related specifically to foreign influence. The Ministry of Education offers optional lessons on misinformation and critical thinking, but these are not mandatory or standardized. The Shin Bet began focused election-related monitoring only in January 2026, shortly before the upcoming elections.

The Comptroller recommends that the National Security Council present a comprehensive plan to the Prime Minister, including policies, resources, and inter-agency coordination. It also calls for better data collection on content removal requests, public engagement channels for reporting suspected foreign influence, and enhanced election commission preparedness. The Central Elections Committee responded positively, noting ongoing efforts to strengthen defenses against foreign influence and disinformation, including legislative proposals, cooperation with security agencies, and public awareness campaigns.

Summary: The Israeli State Comptroller's report reveals a significant lack of government leadership and national policy to combat foreign influence on social media, warning of increased risks ahead of elections and urging immediate coordinated action. Despite recognition of the threat since 2017, efforts have stalled, leaving Israel vulnerable to manipulation by hostile actors like Iran. The Central Elections Committee is actively working to improve election security and public resilience against disinformation.