Mon Sep 30 04:16:00 UTC 2024: ## Russia’s Influence Campaign in Israel: Leaked Documents Reveal Kremlin’s Plans

**Haifa, Israel -** Leaked documents from a Moscow-based firm hired by the Kremlin have revealed a Russian influence campaign targeting Israel, aiming to sway public opinion and undermine support for Ukraine.

The Social Design Agency (SDA) has been operating in Israel and other Western countries since 2017, reportedly coordinating with Russian intelligence to influence public opinion globally. This campaign, detailed in documents leaked to German and Israeli media outlets, focused on promoting pro-Russian narratives within Israeli society.

The campaign’s objectives were multifaceted:

* **Strengthening pro-Russian sentiment:** The SDA aimed to bolster support for Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine, particularly by spreading anti-Ukrainian messages.
* **Blocking military aid to Ukraine:** The campaign sought to ensure no political party in the Israeli parliament (Knesset) would support sending military aid to Ukraine.
* **Dividing Israeli society:** The SDA targeted the Arab community in Israel with false information, attempting to create friction between Arabs and Jews and further exacerbate existing social and political tensions.

The leaked documents reveal the SDA’s methods, which included:

* **Social Media Propaganda:** The company disseminated pro-Russian cartoons, fake news articles, and comments on various social networks.
* **Targeted Advertising:** Paid advertisements on platforms like Facebook featured cartoons depicting Ukrainian President Zelensky burning the Israeli flag and accusing Israeli leftists of supporting Hamas.
* **Creating Fake News Articles:** The SDA distributed fake news articles in Arabic, alleging that Israel lacked weapons due to its support for Ukraine, further fueling anti-government sentiments.

Despite the SDA’s efforts, their influence campaign appears to have been less successful than anticipated, leading the Kremlin to demand a more aggressive approach. The SDA plans to establish an office in Israel with a budget of $1.2 million, aiming to expand their operations beyond the social media realm and achieve their goals.

This revelation raises concerns about Russia’s continued interference in foreign affairs, particularly through covert operations and disinformation campaigns. As Dr. Avner Barnea, a research fellow at the National Security Studies Center of the University of Haifa, states, “The leak adds to prior evidence of the Kremlin’s subversive operations in selected countries worldwide, in an attempt to influence a variety of target audiences.”

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