Foreign actors are increasingly using artificial intelligence tools to run sophisticated influence campaigns targeting Israelis on social media. Recent investigations revealed that seemingly innocuous Facebook groups, such as cooking and religious forums, were actually fronts for operations designed to harvest personal data and later push political messaging. These campaigns, often linked to fake profiles and foreign phone numbers, exploit Israel's high social media usage and deep political divisions, using AI-generated content to appear authentic and evade detection.
Researchers warn that the rise of generative platforms has made it easier for outside actors to manipulate public opinion, with synthetic images and videos now a central weapon in information warfare. Despite repeated incidents, Israel lacks a coordinated government response or regulatory framework comparable to those in Europe, leaving the country vulnerable to ongoing meddling. Experts stress the need for both systemic regulation and increased public skepticism to counter these evolving threats.