A week before Israel’s upcoming election on October 27, the Shin Bet (Israeli Security Agency) has announced the removal of accounts associated with a foreign influence campaign from social media. This action was taken in collaboration with the State Attorney’s Office Cyber Department and the Central Elections Committee (CEC). The agency did not disclose the foreign entities responsible or the platforms targeted, although other suspected foreign-linked accounts reportedly remain active.
As Israelis prepare to vote using paper ballots, the electoral process will heavily rely on digital systems. This election marks the first since the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Various government cybersecurity teams, technology companies, and independent analysts are actively monitoring potential threats and addressing any attempts to disrupt the electoral process.
Election Shield: Safeguarding the Process
The Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD) and the CEC recently launched an initiative called “Election Shield.” They prepared for this effort over three months and conducted a simulation of cyberattacks. On Election Day, a dedicated Cyber Situation Center will operate to gather threat information, identify unusual activity, and coordinate responses. Scenarios being monitored include intrusions, website disruptions, impersonation of public institutions, phishing, account takeovers, and false claims regarding election system breaches.
The CEC, in partnership with the Survey of Israel, has developed a system that utilizes GovMap technology to showcase geographic election turnout rates by polling station. Interactive mapping of election results is expected to be available after voting ends.
Data from Israeli cybersecurity firm Check Point highlights the heightened cyber threat environment leading up to the election. Reports indicate that Israeli government organizations faced an average of about 2,300 cyberattacks per organization weekly in early October, marking an 82% increase from the previous year. Check Point identified 87 confirmed cyberattacks against Israeli targets since early October, primarily involving website disruptions and defacements.
Yossi Karadi, Director General of the INCD, acknowledged the extensive digital infrastructure supporting the electoral process, emphasizing the need for protection. For security reasons, however, the INCD has not specified the technologies employed in their defense strategies.
Israeli researchers are also leveraging technology to combat attempts to manipulate political discourse. A report released by the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) on October 22 examined foreign influence operations, identifying an Islamist influence network called “Isnad.” This group is reportedly linked to the Muslim Brotherhood and spearheaded by an Egyptian activist based in Turkey. While no state involvement has been confirmed, its messaging seeks to undermine public trust in the electoral process.
Additional research by the firm Golden Owl has unveiled around 150 Hebrew-language accounts on social media associated with Iran. Cybersecurity company ClearSky reported a separate Russian influence operation aimed at disseminating false and misleading narratives in Israel.
The CEC is enhancing its cooperation with major tech platforms, including Meta, Google, TikTok, and Microsoft, to streamline responses to election-related online threats. Google’s operations require transparency from political advertisers in Israel, while Meta has established systems to detect inauthentic behavior. TikTok has removed over 45,000 videos violating its election integrity policies since June and offers users access to a designated “Election Center” for accurate voting information.
As the election approaches, the balance between protecting electoral integrity and maintaining freedom of expression remains a critical issue. Authorities and private platforms must navigate the challenges posed by misleading narratives and the manipulation of authentic content amplified through fake accounts.
