Opposition leader warns of foreign disinformation campaigns ahead of Israeli elections

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has raised alarm over coordinated disinformation campaigns being waged on social media platforms, warning that external actors are attempting to manipulate the country’s political landscape. Speaking in the Knesset on Wednesday, Lapid highlighted what he described as influence operations originating from Iran and Russia, which he claimed were designed to sow division among Israeli voters and amplify extremist voices.

“Elections are approaching. Iran is involved, Russia is involved, and influence operations are running rampant across social networks,” Lapid said during parliamentary proceedings. He accused the foreign campaigns of deliberately attempting to fracture Israeli society, weaken moderate political voices, and foster chaos and hatred ahead of the electoral contest.

The opposition leader called for the establishment of a dedicated government body to combat disinformation and coordinate a national response to foreign interference attempts. His warning reflects growing international concern about the use of social media platforms in electoral interference, a tactic that has been documented in democracies across Europe and North America in recent years.

Lapid’s comments underscore the vulnerability of Israel’s political discourse to external manipulation through digital channels, particularly as the country prepares for elections. Such coordinated campaigns typically involve networks of fake accounts, misleading content, and targeted amplification designed to inflame existing social divisions and undermine trust in democratic institutions.

Source: Walla News — Original article in Hebrew.