Mossad Calls on Russia to Stop Social Media Campaign Affecting Israel

Mossad chief David Barnea (Getty)
Mossad chief David Barnea (Getty)
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Mossad Calls on Russia to Stop Social Media Campaign Affecting Israel

Mossad chief David Barnea (Getty)
Mossad chief David Barnea (Getty)

Israel's spy agency, Mossad, and other intelligence services in Tel Aviv asked their Russian counterparts to stop a social media campaign that aims to influence Israeli public opinion in favor of Russia.

The Israeli intelligence services said the Russian disinformation operation is harming Israel because it deepens internal differences.

Security sources in Tel Aviv said Russia’s cyber army runs campaigns in several countries to disseminate false information in the social networks to influence public opinion in favor of Moscow.

The sources said Israeli intelligence services are alarmed because Russia is now targeting Israel which holds 1.5 million Israelis who migrated from the Soviet Union and could speak Russian.

The sources said those Israelis are still linked to Russia through their relatives and friends, and they care about everything that comes from Moscow.

However, the Russian-speaking Israelis disagree over the war in Ukraine, as some support Russia, while the others back Ukraine.

Therefore, Russia’s plans to influence the Israeli public opinion will deepen those differences, which are already marked by the Israeli government's judicial overhaul plan and the massive protests against it.

“The Russian campaign adds fuel to the fire,” the security services said.

Meanwhile, a high-ranking security source told the Hebrew Ynet news agency that Russia’s campaign to disseminate false information through social networks includes opening thousands of fake accounts that spread propaganda for President Vladimir Putin.

Also, the source revealed that these cyber campaigns are no longer limited to Ukraine, but have lately started tackling internal Israeli issues.

The fake accounts are trying to widen the rift within Israeli society and are funded by the Kremlin, the source added.

This is the second time Israeli intelligence services send a similar message to their Russian counterparts.

The Israeli intelligence already warned its Russian counterpart about meddling in the Israeli legislative elections that took place in early November of 2022.



Blinken, in Brussels, Pledges to Shore up Ukraine Support Ahead of Trump Transition

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (R) shake hands at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, 13 November 2024. (EPA)
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (R) shake hands at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, 13 November 2024. (EPA)
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Blinken, in Brussels, Pledges to Shore up Ukraine Support Ahead of Trump Transition

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (R) shake hands at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, 13 November 2024. (EPA)
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (R) shake hands at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, 13 November 2024. (EPA)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken assured NATO on Wednesday that the Biden administration would bolster its support for Ukraine in the few months before Donald Trump's return as president and would try to strengthen the alliance in that time.

Meeting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels, Biden also said the deployment of North Korean troops to help Russia in the Ukraine war would get a "firm response".

President-elect Trump, who has questioned US military support for Ukraine, says he will quickly end Russia's war without saying how, raising concerns among U.S. allies he could try to force Kyiv to accept peace on Moscow's terms. Biden leaves office on Jan. 20.

Blinken said after meeting Rutte at the alliance’s headquarters they discussed ongoing support for Ukraine, where Russian forces have been making gains on the eastern front lines, and the work NATO must do strengthen its defense industrial base.

The outgoing US administration would "continue to shore up everything we're doing for Ukraine," he said.

"President Biden fully intends to drive through the tape and use every day to continue to do what we have done these last four years, which is strengthen this alliance," Blinken said.

The deployment of North Korean troops to support Russia in the conflict "demands and will get a firm response," he said.

Rutte said that "Russia has not won" in Ukraine, which it invaded in February 2022.

"Obviously we have to do more to make sure that Ukraine can stay in the fight and is able to roll back as much as possible the Russian onslaught and prevent (President Vladimir) Putin from being successful in Ukraine," he said.

Blinken is expected to meet Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha later, according to a State Department schedule.

He will also meet NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Christopher Cavoli, top EU officials and British foreign secretary David Lammy in Brussels on Wednesday.