Fake Reporter Exposes Otzma Yehudit Bot Network Linked to Itamar Ben Gvir
An investigation by Fake Reporter reveals that Itamar Ben Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party is using over 100 AI bots to manipulate social media discourse and attack political rivals ahead of the elections.
An investigation by the Fake Reporter organization has revealed that the Otzma Yehudit party, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, is running a covert social media influence campaign using over 100 artificial intelligence-generated bots. The network poses as authentic Israeli citizens to amplify the party's messaging, systematically attacking coalition leaders and political rivals, including right-wing partners.
Investigation Findings and Methodology
According to the report, the bot network employs AI-generated profile pictures and coordinates mass comment campaigns across various platforms. These accounts are linked to the office of Ofer Rosenbaum, the party's campaign manager. The automated profiles latch onto posts concerning political figures, flooding comment sections with synchronized narratives to manufacture an artificial sense of public consensus.
In one documented instance, accounts linked to the operation targeted Channel 14 after the network broadcast critical coverage of Ben Gvir. The bots posted coordinated messages accusing the channel's staff of acting as mercenaries for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In another case, when Religious Zionism leader Bezalel Smotrich launched a campaign focusing on the Negev and Galilee, the bot network responded with synchronized criticism, calling the initiative a bluff.
Responses and Public Implications
"Ahead of the elections, we are identifying an increasing use of bots and fictitious profiles to influence public opinion in Israel and disrupt the democratic process," said Fake Reporter CEO Nir Rosen. "Such coordinated inauthentic behavior constitutes a serious suspicion of violating election propaganda laws and requires immediate review by the Central Election Committee."
In response to the findings, the office of Minister Itamar Ben Gvir dismissed the report as a politically motivated attack. The party stated that the organization behind the investigation represents radical left-wing elements backed by foreign funding attempting to interfere in Israeli politics. "They will continue to bark, and we will continue to win," the statement read.
