Mossad Calls on Russia to Stop Social Media Campaign Affecting Israel

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

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.



Le Pen Makes New Threat to Withdraw Support for French Government

French far-right leader and member of parliament Marine Le Pen, President of the French far-right National Rally (Rassemblement National - RN) party parliamentary group, talks to journalists as she leaves after a meeting with the French Prime Minister to discuss the 2025 budget bill (PLF) at the Hotel Matignon in Paris, France, November 25, 2024. (Reuters)
French far-right leader and member of parliament Marine Le Pen, President of the French far-right National Rally (Rassemblement National - RN) party parliamentary group, talks to journalists as she leaves after a meeting with the French Prime Minister to discuss the 2025 budget bill (PLF) at the Hotel Matignon in Paris, France, November 25, 2024. (Reuters)
TT

Le Pen Makes New Threat to Withdraw Support for French Government

French far-right leader and member of parliament Marine Le Pen, President of the French far-right National Rally (Rassemblement National - RN) party parliamentary group, talks to journalists as she leaves after a meeting with the French Prime Minister to discuss the 2025 budget bill (PLF) at the Hotel Matignon in Paris, France, November 25, 2024. (Reuters)
French far-right leader and member of parliament Marine Le Pen, President of the French far-right National Rally (Rassemblement National - RN) party parliamentary group, talks to journalists as she leaves after a meeting with the French Prime Minister to discuss the 2025 budget bill (PLF) at the Hotel Matignon in Paris, France, November 25, 2024. (Reuters)

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen issued a new threat on Monday to withdraw support for France's coalition government in a no-confidence vote, after talks with Prime Minister Michel Barnier failed to satisfy her party's demands for budget concessions.

Le Pen said nothing had changed following the discussions, and that she was not optimistic a compromise on the belt-tightening 2025 budget bill could be reached.

"Nothing appears less certain," she told reporters.

The Senate was set to debate on Monday following its rejection by lawmakers in the National Assembly after revisions by lawmakers in the lower house.

Opposition parties are threatening to topple Barnier's government as it seeks approval for the budget, and his fragile coalition relies on her National Rally (RN) party for its survival.

The government is seeking to squeeze 60 billion euros ($62.85 billion) in savings through tax increases and spending cuts to reduce the deficit to 5% of economic output next year from over 6% this year.

National Rally has said it will support the efforts to oust the government if certain demands are not met. Le Pen said last week that the RN opposes increasing the tax burden on households, entrepreneurs or pensioners, and that so far these demands were not reflected in the budget bill.

LEGAL PROBLEMS

Le Pen's own political future is also under threat, with prosecutors seeking a mandatory five-year ban from politics for her alleged role in an embezzlement scheme. Le Pen denies the allegations.

Some analysts have suggested her legal problems may accelerate her plans to bring down the government,

Barnier's struggles to secure approval for the budget have fueled speculation he will invoke article 49.3 of the constitution, which allows the text to be adopted without a vote. Such a move could trigger a no-confidence motion against the government.

"It is true that we find very little quality in this budget and very little time for the government to try to increase its qualities and reduce its defects," Le Pen said.

Barnier was also due to meet other political leaders on Monday to seek a compromise on the budget bill. A final vote on the overall budget is scheduled for Dec. 12.