Bots, fakes and disinformation: Israel Police warns of threat to influence elections

Major General Boaz Balat, head of the Israel Police Investigations Department, sent a warning to Israeli technology companies, urging them not to assist illegal influence operations on behalf of political parties in the elections. The police plan to meet with company executives. In his letter, Balat highlighted the potentially illegal use of technological systems to spread false content and conceal the identity of the client.

Major General Boaz Balat, head of the Israel Police Investigations Department, sent an extraordinary warning to Israeli technology companies involved in social media promotion. He urged them not to assist illegal influence operations on behalf of various parties in the upcoming elections. In addition to the warning, the police intend to meet with company executives this week. In a letter obtained by Yedioth Ahronoth and Ynet, Balat pointed to the potentially illegal use of technological systems to spread false content and conceal the identity of the client. He emphasized that assisting in concealing identity or continuing to provide a service after suspicion arises may incur legal liability. In early August 2026, a Fake Reporter study revealed a network of fake accounts promoting one of the candidates in the Likud primaries. Most accounts were opened shortly before the primaries, used AI-generated photos, and acted in a coordinated manner. Despite the campaign, the candidate did not win. The police state that the 2026 election campaign will bring technological challenges they have not faced before, including the threat of criminal offenses that damage the integrity of the electoral process and public trust in the democratic procedure.