State Comptroller Finds Israel Lacks Coordinated Response to Iranian Digital Influence Threat

A critical report by outgoing State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman reveals that Israel lacks an official guiding policy and structured leadership to address Iran's attempts to manipulate Israeli public perception through digital means. The report highlights the absence of a national strategy and a designated government body to lead inter-agency efforts against this threat. Previous initiatives aimed at fostering inter-agency cooperation have been abandoned over the years.

The report further warns that the Israeli public remains vulnerable to foreign influence, particularly on social media platforms, without adequate governmental response. This exposure poses potentially devastating consequences for Israeli society, especially during times of crisis, war, or elections. The governmental measures taken so far are deemed insufficient relative to the severity and risks of the threat, with significant shortcomings in handling the issue persisting unaddressed for years.