The Israeli government has been implicated in a $2 million influence campaign targeting American lawmakers and the broader populace of the United States.
This operation employs fabricated social media profiles and deceptive websites featuring tailored pro-Israel content designed to resonate with various political beliefs.
Stoic, an Israeli political marketing agency, was contracted by Israel's Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism following Hamas' attack against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The firm was provided an estimated budget of $2 million and given the task of increasing U.S. support for Israeli military actions in Gaza.
The ongoing operation utilizes hundreds of bogus accounts across platforms like X, Facebook and Instagram, masquerading as American individuals and disseminating pro-Israel propaganda.
The Israeli disinformation watchdog, the FakeReporter, initially exposed this campaign in March. However, a report released by the organization on June 5 unveils the operation's broader scope, extending beyond social media manipulation. (Related: THOU SHALT NOT CRITICIZE ISRAEL: Social media giants now CENSORING CONTENT that supports people of Gaza and opposes indiscriminate bombings by Israel.)
The report reveals an intricate web of fabricated social media profiles and fake websites promoting pro-Israeli, anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian narratives. Each website caters to distinct political ideologies.
According to the report, one of these websites presents itself as anarchist and anti-establishment, targeting young progressives who align with the principles of leftism and anarchism. The website uses anarchist arguments to oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state in Gaza, East Jerusalem and the West Bank in accordance with the two-state peace solution to the conflict. The website advocates for the rejection of all current state structures and the creation of new states.
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Other websites featured pro-Israeli, anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim content, along with disinformation regarding perceived instances of antisemitism on American campuses.
The campaign's modus operandi was multi-faceted. It commenced with the establishment of several fictitious "news sites" that mimicked legitimate media sources. These platforms, bolstered by associated Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts, amassed substantial followings, providing a veneer of authenticity to their fabricated narratives. Among the fabricated stories were accounts alleging sexual assaults by Hamas militants and purported ties between the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and Hamas.
Israeli influence campaign has had minimal impact despite hefty budget
Of particular concern is the targeted dissemination of content aimed at Black lawmakers in the U.S., predominantly those affiliated with the Democratic Party.
Through a network of hundreds of fake accounts and avatars, the campaign inundated these individuals' social media feeds with tailored messaging, urging support for Israel's military endeavors in Gaza.
This revelation has sparked widespread condemnation and calls for accountability. While the Israeli government has yet to formally respond to the allegations, the implications of such covert interference in foreign affairs cannot be overstated. As discussions surrounding foreign influence and political manipulation continue to evolve, the need for transparency and ethical governance remains paramount.
Although Instagram and Facebook claim to have dismantled the operation on their platforms, it persists on X. Nevertheless, analysis conducted by the FakeReporter suggests that despite Stoic's hefty budget, the Israeli influence campaign has had minimal impact due to its haphazard execution.
Learn the latest news coming out of Israel at IsraelCollapse.com.
Watch this clip from "Rising" on The Hill TV discussing the revelation that Israel is waging a "digital war" on social media.
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