Ben-Gvir Accused of Bot Network Attack on Rivals: FakeReporter Claims AI-Powered Smear Campaign

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is facing explosive allegations that a coordinated network of over 100 social media accounts, allegedly tied to a consulting firm working on his election campaign, was used to target political rivals. The claims, published by the research organization FakeReporter and reported by N12, have ignited a firestorm in Israeli politics just weeks before the nation heads to the polls.

What did FakeReporter uncover about the alleged bot network?

According to the investigation, the network of accounts spread hostile messages aimed at key figures within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing bloc, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich of the Religious Zionist Party and Brig.-Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter of the People of Israel Party. The accounts also reportedly targeted Channel 14, a popular right-leaning news outlet.

FakeReporter alleged that many of the accounts used AI-generated images and fabricated identities to amplify their reach. The organization claims it identified dozens of coordinated accounts on X, with roughly 90 users publishing hundreds of posts against Ben-Gvir's rivals within short timeframes and using strikingly similar wording. Some of these accounts had previously promoted messages supportive of Ben-Gvir, according to the report.

How did Ben-Gvir's office respond to the allegations?

Ben-Gvir's office rejected the findings outright, dismissing FakeReporter as a tool of the radical left. In a statement to The Jerusalem Post, the minister's office accused the organization's backers of being funded by an army of foreign money interfering in Israeli elections, though no evidence was provided to support that claim.

They will continue to bark; we will continue to win.

The office drew a parallel to previous elections, noting that similar accusations were leveled against Prime Minister Netanyahu before the public ultimately decided at the ballot box.

What did Ofer Winter say about the alleged bot attacks?

Winter, a former IDF general and leader of the People of Israel Party, responded with sharp condemnation. He argued that Ben-Gvir should be focused on his ministerial duties, particularly overseeing the police and tackling the surge in crime, rather than engaging in influence operations against fellow right-wing parties.

Protection rackets are surging, crime is running rampant, and there is no decisive victory on any front. Our reservists are being worked to the bone in reserve duty over the holidays, while a minister in Israel is busy with influence operations aimed at harming right-wing parties.

Winter emphasized that his party is meeting Israelis across the country during the holiday week, offering not bots but action, not declarations but results. The People of Israel Party has positioned itself as a fresh alternative, bringing in candidates who were not part of the political or security establishment during the October 7 failures.

Why does this matter for Israel's election integrity?

This controversy strikes at the heart of Israel's democratic process. As the nation prepares for elections, the integrity of public discourse is paramount. FakeReporter's findings raise serious questions about the use of AI and coordinated disinformation to manipulate public opinion. While Ben-Gvir's office denies any wrongdoing, the allegations underscore the growing challenge of safeguarding Israeli democracy from digital manipulation, both foreign and domestic.

Frequently asked questions about the Ben-Gvir bot network allegations

What is FakeReporter?

FakeReporter is an independent research organization dedicated to combating malicious online activity, fake news, and coordinated disinformation campaigns. It has previously identified networks of bots and coordinated accounts on social media platforms.

Has Ben-Gvir been accused of using bots before?

No, this is the first major public allegation of this nature against Ben-Gvir. However, similar accusations were made against Prime Minister Netanyahu in previous election cycles, which his supporters dismissed as politically motivated.

What is the People of Israel Party?

The People of Israel Party, led by Brig.-Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter, is a new right-wing political party seeking to bring fresh faces into the Knesset, particularly candidates who were not part of the establishment during the October 7 security failures.

As the election campaign heats up, Israelis are watching closely to see how these allegations unfold. One thing is certain: the battle for the soul of the right wing is being fought both on the ground and in the digital arena, and the stakes could not be higher for the future of the Jewish state.