Russia and Iran may interfere in elections - expert
Experts warn of attempts at foreign interference in Israeli elections through social media, fake accounts, deepfakes, and AI-generated content. Shin Bet chief David Zini raised the issue. Maariv journalist Dan Perry believes Russia and Iran may intensify internal division and polarization without supporting a specific party. The paper-based voting system protects the count, but the information environment is vulnerable.
In Israel, the threat of foreign interference in future elections is again being discussed. The trigger was warnings that external actors might try to influence public opinion through social media, artificial intelligence, and coordinated information campaigns. The issue was previously raised by Shin Bet chief David Zini. In a Maariv column, journalist Dan Perry claims that possible influence operations may come primarily from Russia, Iran, and other states. In his assessment, the main goal is to intensify internal division, distrust of institutions, and political polarization, rather than support for a specific party. Israel's paper-based voting system complicates direct interference in the vote count, but the information environment is vulnerable. This involves fakes, anonymous accounts, deepfakes, and mass promotion of emotional content. Perry puts forward a controversial assessment that foreign adversaries may benefit from maintaining the current coalition. The author of the article is Tomer Adoni.