Israel Faces Growing Threat of Sophisticated Foreign Election Interference Campaigns

Israel's election system is confronting an unprecedented threat from foreign influence operations, ranging from sending condolence wreaths to hostage families to AI-driven networks sowing chaos on the streets. Retired Lt. Col. Dudi Siman-Tov of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) explains that Israeli law on election interference remains outdated, dating back to 1959, and politicians prefer the public to remain unaware of who is really influencing them. He highlights how Iran has directly injected messages into Israel's cabinet discussions and social discourse.

The phenomenon of foreign interference in elections is not new, with historical examples such as French meddling in the 1796 U.S. presidential election. However, modern tactics have evolved significantly, as seen in Russia's sophisticated social media campaigns during Ukraine's 2014 "Revolution of Dignity" and the 2016 U.S. elections. These efforts aimed less at changing votes and more at creating chaos and distrust in democratic institutions. The term FIMI (Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference) now defines this threat.

Recent cases, like the 2024 Romanian presidential election where a pro-Russian candidate emerged from obscurity through coordinated TikTok activity, demonstrate the real-world impact of such interference. The European Union now treats FIMI as a national security threat. In Israel, Iran is the main actor, increasingly using AI tools and exploiting societal divisions such as judicial reform debates, ultra-Orthodox conscription, and the plight of hostage families. Iranian networks have attempted to manipulate political dynamics by encouraging splits among right-wing parties and suppressing Arab voter turnout.

Alongside Iran operates "Isnad," a volunteer network using AI to inject messages into Israeli discourse, responsible for nearly 9% of Twitter activity in Israel. One campaign incited protesters to storm the prime minister's residence, a message that reached cabinet discussions as intelligence, embarrassing Israel's security services and undermining public trust.

Interference extends beyond digital realms; in April 2024, a condolence wreath was sent to the family of hostage Liri Elbag, likely an Iranian act. Siman-Tov warns that when foreign disinformation is amplified domestically by Israeli actors, sometimes knowingly for political gain, it escalates into Domestic Information Manipulation and Interference (DIMI).

Despite the growing threat, Israeli legislation remains stuck in the past, lacking comprehensive frameworks to address AI-driven and bot-based influence campaigns. Unlike the European Union, Israel has no centralized body coordinating efforts across the Shin Bet, cyber units, and election committees. Siman-Tov suggests political leaders may avoid confronting this challenge because it is inconvenient. Meanwhile, civil society groups like Fake Reporter carry much of the burden without state support.

Siman-Tov's key message ahead of upcoming elections is a call for skepticism and vigilance. Israel is more exposed than ever to foreign manipulation, and until the state establishes dedicated mechanisms to detect and counter these threats, the responsibility lies with citizens to critically assess the information they consume.