Foreign Influence Campaigns Escalate Threats to Israeli Elections, Experts Warn

Israel's election system faces unprecedented threats from sophisticated foreign influence operations, including disinformation campaigns and psychological manipulation. Retired Lt. Col. Dudi Siman-Tov of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) explains that while foreign election interference is not new, modern tactics have evolved far beyond traditional cyberattacks to include spreading divisive narratives and fake content via social media and artificial intelligence. He highlights Iran as a key actor exploiting Israeli societal divisions, amplifying tensions around judicial reforms, ultra-Orthodox conscription, and families of hostages. Iranian networks have even influenced political dynamics by encouraging splits among right-wing parties and suppressing Arab voter turnout.

Siman-Tov points to the Romanian 2024 presidential election as a cautionary example, where a pro-Russian candidate emerged through covert social media campaigns, leading to election cancellation and public distrust. The European Union now treats such Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) as a national security threat, a stance Israel has yet to fully adopt. Israeli law remains outdated, relying on a 1959 propaganda statute ill-suited for combating AI-driven disinformation. There is no centralized Israeli body coordinating responses across security agencies, cyber units, and election committees.

Beyond digital interference, Iran has escalated to physical intimidation, such as sending condolence wreaths to hostage families, actions attributed to Iranian operatives by Israeli security. Siman-Tov warns of the dangerous crossover to Domestic Information Manipulation and Interference (DIMI), where local political actors knowingly spread foreign-originated falsehoods for political gain. He suggests Israeli leaders may avoid confronting these challenges due to political convenience, leaving civil society groups like FakeReporter to fill the gap without state support.

As Israel approaches upcoming elections, Siman-Tov urges public skepticism and awareness of foreign manipulation efforts. Until Israel establishes dedicated institutions and legal frameworks to counter these threats, the responsibility to discern truth from foreign-influenced narratives rests heavily on citizens themselves.