Mossad Calls on Russia to Stop Social Media Campaign Affecting Israel

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.