In a recent report by Recorded Future’s Insikt Group, it has been revealed that Iran has been conducting a sophisticated influence operation in Israel for several years, aiming to stoke social, cultural, and political unrest within the nation. This operation has been divided into three distinct phases, each targeting different aspects of Israeli society.
The first phase of the operation, which started three years ago, focused on creating division between Israel’s ultra-Orthodox and LGBTQ+ communities. By using generative AI and social media to impersonate prominent rabbis, the group behind the operation, known as Emerald Divide, created fake content that incited conflict between these two groups. For instance, they created a YouTube channel posing as Rabbi Shlomo Amar, where they shared manipulated videos and speeches about controversial topics like homosexuality and women’s rights. This led to tensions between the LGBTQ+ community and fake supporters of the rabbi, ultimately sparking unrest.
Moving on to the second phase, Emerald Divide shifted its focus to the political discourse in Israel, particularly the divide between the left and right. In 2023, as Israelis took to the streets to protest issues within the judicial system, the operation exploited this movement by using social media to support both sides of the political spectrum. They even went as far as collecting protestors’ personally identifying information through a Google form, under the guise of seeking new partners for a better future for the country.
The most recent phase of the operation is centered around Israel’s conflict with Hamas. Using Telegram accounts previously employed in the first two phases, Emerald Divide is now working to sow distrust and anger towards the Israeli government, utilizing the ongoing conflict to fuel social unrest.
In comparison to Russia’s extensive use of social media bots, Emerald Divide has maintained a more focused approach with a smaller network of online accounts, totaling just over 250, including seven primary Telegram accounts. Despite its relatively smaller scale, the group has been able to garner attention and followers, as evidenced by one account, “Tears of War,” which boasts around 2,000 subscribers. This targeted strategy has allowed Emerald Divide to achieve tangible results, such as having one of their posters displayed in a public square, indicating a level of influence beyond just online engagement.
Sean Minor, the team lead for influence operations research in Insikt Group, acknowledges the effectiveness of Emerald Divide’s approach, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness and collaboration between governments and private entities to combat such influence operations. As these operations continue to evolve and pose challenges to authorities, a proactive and coordinated response is essential to mitigate their impact and protect societal cohesion. Minor predicts that these networks will adapt over time, necessitating continuous monitoring and adaptation from those tasked with countering them.
As governments and organizations grapple with the complexities of modern influence operations, the need for vigilance and collaboration becomes increasingly evident. By addressing the root causes of societal divides and promoting unity, stakeholders can work towards thwarting external actors’ attempts to sow discord and manipulate public opinion for their own gain.