Washington, D.C. — A sophisticated disinformation campaign allegedly linked to the Israeli government targeted more than 128 United States lawmakers through social media manipulation, deploying approximately 600 fake profiles that generated over 2,000 coordinated comments weekly in support of Israel's military operations in Gaza. The operation, first uncovered in March 2024 by FakeReporter, an Israeli misinformation watchdog organization, represents one of the most extensive documented foreign influence campaigns aimed directly at American elected officials.

The network of fraudulent accounts impersonated American citizens—students, concerned constituents, and everyday social media users—to amplify pro-Israel narratives while systematically attacking Palestinian rights organizations. These digital imposters operated across multiple platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), sharing content from fabricated news outlets designed to appear legitimate. The New York Times investigation revealed that Israel's Ministry of Diaspora Affairs allocated approximately $2 million for the operation and contracted STOIC, a Tel Aviv-based political marketing firm, to execute the campaign.​

The targeted lawmakers represent a significant cross-section of Congress, including House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senator Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Representatives Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), and Shontel Brown (D-Ohio). Analysis of the targeting patterns reveals a disproportionate focus on Black Democratic lawmakers and House members, suggesting strategic political calculations behind the operation.

The Israeli Embassy in Washington declined to comment on the allegations, while the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs has categorically denied involvement with the campaign and any connection to STOIC. However, multiple Israeli officials confirmed to The New York Times that the ministry initiated the effort, contradicting the official denials. Meta (Facebook's parent company) and OpenAI subsequently banned STOIC from their platforms and removed hundreds of fake accounts associated with the influence operation.​

Achiya Schatz, executive director of FakeReporter, didn't mince words in condemning his own government's alleged actions: "The foreign influence network operated against American lawmakers was an irresponsible, reckless, and anti-democratic act. If Israel does not wish to be victims of foreign interventions, it must refrain from carrying them out by itself". This self-criticism from an Israeli watchdog organization underscores the gravity of manipulating democratic processes in allied nations.

The tactics employed mirror established playbooks used by hostile state actors including Iran, Russia, North Korea, and China, all of which routinely deploy coordinated fake accounts to advance favorable narratives and undermine opponents. What distinguishes this operation is the perpetrator—a close U.S. ally receiving billions in American military aid. President Biden recently approved a multi-billion dollar military assistance package for Israel, making the alleged manipulation of lawmakers particularly problematic.

The campaign launched in October 2023, coinciding with the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas, and reportedly continues operating on X. Beyond posting comments on lawmakers' social media pages, the operation created at least three fictitious news websites—including outlets with names designed to sound credible—that republished and altered content from mainstream sources like CNN and The Wall Street Journal to promote pro-Israel positions. Fake Reddit accounts then amplified links to these counterfeit news sites to boost their search engine visibility.

Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), one of the targeted lawmakers, told POLITICO he had no additional information about the campaign when contacted. Over a dozen other targeted lawmakers did not respond to requests for comment, and the White House National Security Council declined to discuss the matter. This silence from American officials raises uncomfortable questions about accountability when allies engage in information warfare against U.S. democratic institutions.

The New Normal of Digital Influence

Experts note this represents the first documented instance of the Israeli government organizing a coordinated campaign specifically designed to manipulate U.S. government officials' opinions. Anthropologist Miriyam Aouragh observed that these operations attempted to sow discord between marginalized groups and undermine solidarity movements, employing divisive anti-Islamic messaging that even Israeli critics found alarming. The sophistication of the effort, including AI-generated content identified by OpenAI, demonstrates how modern technology has weaponized disinformation at unprecedented scale.​

The revelation comes amid broader concerns about foreign psychological operations corrupting political discourse worldwide, particularly during major electoral cycles. What remains unclear is whether this operation influenced any lawmakers' positions on military aid to Israel or shaped public opinion in measurable ways. The effectiveness of such campaigns is notoriously difficult to assess, though their existence alone undermines trust in democratic discourse.​

When supposed allies deploy the same manipulation tactics as adversaries, the distinction between friend and foe blurs dangerously. The American public deserves transparency about who is attempting to manipulate their representatives—and why those representatives remain largely silent when confronted with evidence of foreign interference.