An investigation revealed that 1,653 accounts on X, which previously focused on promoting exiled Iranian royal Reza Pahlavi, pivoted to backing Benjamin Netanyahu's campaign before resuming their original messaging after the election. Starting in July, dozens of these profiles began actively engaging with Netanyahu's accounts and distributing content attacking his political rivals. Following a petition by watchdog groups, an election committee judge forwarded the evidence to law enforcement after observing apparent violations of campaign rules. Likud and the Prime Minister’s Office have officially maintained that they possess no ties to the coordinated online network.
Key points
Operators behind the extensive network of deceptive accounts remain unidentified despite…: Operators behind the extensive network of deceptive accounts remain unidentified despite intensive monitoring efforts by social media researchers.
The social media campaign rapidly shifted its focus back to Iranian political matters imm…: The social media campaign rapidly shifted its focus back to Iranian political matters immediately following the conclusion of the Israeli election.
Both the Prime Minister’s Office and the Likud party have explicitly denied having any co…: Both the Prime Minister’s Office and the Likud party have explicitly denied having any connection to the covert network.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
A network of 1,653 X accounts posing as Iranian users amplified Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s election campaign ahead of last week’s vote, Haaretz reported on Friday.
The accounts posted messages in Hebrew urging Israelis to vote for Netanyahu “on behalf of the Iranian people”.
The accounts, which claimed to belong to Iranians living in Iran or abroad, appeared to coordinate their activity. Their operators remain unidentified.
Activity intensified on election day, when multiple accounts published identical messages and responded to posts in coordinated bursts.
Two accounts, for example, shared 109 identical posts, compared with just four expected through organic activity, according to Haaretz’s analysis.
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They also responded simultaneously, or within five minutes of each other, to 232 posts by 53 different accounts.
On election morning, two accounts posted the same Hebrew message about an hour apart: “We call on you to support Benjamin Netanyahu to finish the job”, accompanied by the hashtag #IsraeliElections2026.
The prominent British YouTuber and religious philosopher revealed he was stopped without explanation at Gatwick Airport, leading to an extensive digital search of his personal communications. Following the return of his phone, he released a partially redacted official record indicating an officer noted his refusal to collaborate. The disclosure has heightened public scrutiny over how counter-terrorism authorities monitor vocal political activists.
The veteran political leader remains admitted at a healthcare facility while receiving medical attention for a respiratory issue. Observers and political figures across the state are closely monitoring his health status during this hospital stay. His current medical condition has drawn significant attention given his pivotal role in regional affairs.
The 45-year-old urban planner unseated incumbent Karen Bass despite high-profile establishment opposition, marking a major milestone as the first Asian-American to hold the office. Her victory means the nation's two largest cities are now both headed by Indian-origin immigrants who identify as democratic socialists. The transition comes amid a broader surge in electoral wins for left-wing municipal candidates nationwide.