1 apr 2019
Blue and White leader lashes out after report says fake Facebook, Twitter network operating to promote prime minister's reelection on April 9; party says it has filed complaint with police
Blue and White leader Benny Gantz lashed out at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, following a joint Yedioth Ahronoth-New York Times report on a network of fake social media accounts dedicated to promoting the prime minister and his Likud party ahead of the April 9 elections.
"Netanyahu is going to lose, Netanyahu is stressed," Gantz said at a press conference in Tel Aviv, flanked by his political partners Gabi Ashkenazi, Yair Lapid and Moshe Ya'alon. "The report published this morning reveals that Netanyahu is leading campaign of terror on the consciousness of the citizens of Israel."
Gantz, Ya'alon and Ashkenazi are all former heads of the Israel Defense Forces.
According to research by internet watchdog Big Bots Project, a covert and complex army of fake social media accounts has been disseminating posts in support of Netanyahu and his Likud party ahead of the elections.
The watchdog found that this network has posted more than 130,000 times in Hebrew on Facebook and Twitter - posts that have had 2.5 million hits in Israel. These posts have the sole purpose of praising Netanyahu and spreading false information about his rivals, primarily Gantz.
The report does not identify a direct link between the network and the Likud or any of its staff. It says, however, that the network's activity raises suspicions of serious criminal offenses, including violations of the Election Law, campaign financing, privacy laws, income tax and more.
The former IDF chief also alleged that Netanyahu was behind leaks of his private conversations that have appeared in the media in recent weeks.
"Israeli citizens have been inundated in recent months with messages and fake news on the digital network," Gantz said.
"Netanyahu does not balk at lies, does not balk at manipulations. This is not happenstance. The various security leaks (of Gantz's private comments) combine with today's news into one big lie," he said.
"Anyone who deals in leaks will not hesitate to establish a system of fake news, of which only the tip of the iceberg was revealed today. There is an entire system using large sums of money in order to win the election, and that needs to be investigated," he said.
Gantz added: "I am not worried about myself, I have managed under pressure, I have made difficult decisions; I am less worried. It is interesting what will come at me next, Netanyahu can throw as much dirt at me as he wants. I am determined, I am going to win."
The Blue and White officials said that they have filed a complaint with the police about the social media network.
Blue and White leader Benny Gantz lashed out at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, following a joint Yedioth Ahronoth-New York Times report on a network of fake social media accounts dedicated to promoting the prime minister and his Likud party ahead of the April 9 elections.
"Netanyahu is going to lose, Netanyahu is stressed," Gantz said at a press conference in Tel Aviv, flanked by his political partners Gabi Ashkenazi, Yair Lapid and Moshe Ya'alon. "The report published this morning reveals that Netanyahu is leading campaign of terror on the consciousness of the citizens of Israel."
Gantz, Ya'alon and Ashkenazi are all former heads of the Israel Defense Forces.
According to research by internet watchdog Big Bots Project, a covert and complex army of fake social media accounts has been disseminating posts in support of Netanyahu and his Likud party ahead of the elections.
The watchdog found that this network has posted more than 130,000 times in Hebrew on Facebook and Twitter - posts that have had 2.5 million hits in Israel. These posts have the sole purpose of praising Netanyahu and spreading false information about his rivals, primarily Gantz.
The report does not identify a direct link between the network and the Likud or any of its staff. It says, however, that the network's activity raises suspicions of serious criminal offenses, including violations of the Election Law, campaign financing, privacy laws, income tax and more.
The former IDF chief also alleged that Netanyahu was behind leaks of his private conversations that have appeared in the media in recent weeks.
"Israeli citizens have been inundated in recent months with messages and fake news on the digital network," Gantz said.
"Netanyahu does not balk at lies, does not balk at manipulations. This is not happenstance. The various security leaks (of Gantz's private comments) combine with today's news into one big lie," he said.
"Anyone who deals in leaks will not hesitate to establish a system of fake news, of which only the tip of the iceberg was revealed today. There is an entire system using large sums of money in order to win the election, and that needs to be investigated," he said.
Gantz added: "I am not worried about myself, I have managed under pressure, I have made difficult decisions; I am less worried. It is interesting what will come at me next, Netanyahu can throw as much dirt at me as he wants. I am determined, I am going to win."
The Blue and White officials said that they have filed a complaint with the police about the social media network.
New report finds synchronized system of Facebook and Twitter users aimed at reelecting Likud leader, discrediting his opponents; Likud denies any connection to network in which 'a lot of money has been invested'
A covert and complex army of fake social media accounts has been disseminating posts in support of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party ahead of the April 9 elections in Israel, according to a new report by an internet watchdog due for release Monday.
According to the findings of the Big Bots Project, this network has posted more than 130,000 times in Hebrew on Facebook and Twitter - posts that have had 2.5 million hits in Israel. These posts have the sole purpose of praising Netanyahu and spreading false information about his rivals, primarily his main challenger Benny Gantz, the former IDF chief who leads the Blue and White Party.
One of these Twitter accounts is operated by "Moshe", whose online activity went from 16 tweets in the first three months of 2018 to 2,856 tweets in the same period of 2019, at the height of the election campaign. The photo of the handsome young man that accompanies the "Moshe" account actually belongs to a Greek model named Theo Theodoridis.
"Moshe" is just one of hundreds that form a network of fake accounts, operating in synchronicity, echoing the Likud's political messaging and on more than one occasion spreading malicious propaganda, lies and slander against the media and those perceived to be enemies of Netanyahu.
For example, one of the accounts posted a fake claim that Gantz was a rapist, a post that was then shared online by numerous others in the network.
The report does not identify a direct link between the network and the Likud or any of its staff. It says, however, that the network's activity raises suspicions of serious criminal offenses, including violations of the Election Law, campaign financing, privacy laws, income tax and more.
Prof. Karine Nahon, president of the Israel Internet Association, says that the network of fictitious users is aimed at swaying public opinion and influence voters.
"Fake news has a far more rapid, wide and varied potential for dissemination than the news that contradicts it and seeks to present reality. As such, there is a fear that this will adversely impact the fair democratic process. "
According to the study's researchers, at the heart of the network is a single Twitter account operated under the user name "Bond." The account, which is linked to all of the other accounts in the network, uses the photo, email and personal information of one Yitzhak Haddad - a self-described "undercover activist" from Ashdod in southern Israel.
Haddad told a private investigator that he was "making videos and all sorts of beautiful things that are going up." When asked whether this work was funded, Haddad said yes.
Asked how much money had been invested in the operation of the network, Haddad said: "I don't want to say tens of millions (of shekels), but a lot of money has been invested."
Hadad also admitted that he was connected to "very senior people" in the Likud.
In a telephone conversation Sunday afternoon, the private investigator asked Yonatan Orich, one of the Likud campaign managers and Netanyahu advisor, if he knew and worked with Haddad, and Orich said yes. He later said that he knew Haddad "only from Facebook" and had never met him.
The Likud said in response: "The Likud is not connected in any way to the network to which you refer. The Likud does not operate any network of bots, avatars, fake profiles and so on. The Likud is almost the only party that does not use such methods."
A covert and complex army of fake social media accounts has been disseminating posts in support of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party ahead of the April 9 elections in Israel, according to a new report by an internet watchdog due for release Monday.
According to the findings of the Big Bots Project, this network has posted more than 130,000 times in Hebrew on Facebook and Twitter - posts that have had 2.5 million hits in Israel. These posts have the sole purpose of praising Netanyahu and spreading false information about his rivals, primarily his main challenger Benny Gantz, the former IDF chief who leads the Blue and White Party.
One of these Twitter accounts is operated by "Moshe", whose online activity went from 16 tweets in the first three months of 2018 to 2,856 tweets in the same period of 2019, at the height of the election campaign. The photo of the handsome young man that accompanies the "Moshe" account actually belongs to a Greek model named Theo Theodoridis.
"Moshe" is just one of hundreds that form a network of fake accounts, operating in synchronicity, echoing the Likud's political messaging and on more than one occasion spreading malicious propaganda, lies and slander against the media and those perceived to be enemies of Netanyahu.
For example, one of the accounts posted a fake claim that Gantz was a rapist, a post that was then shared online by numerous others in the network.
The report does not identify a direct link between the network and the Likud or any of its staff. It says, however, that the network's activity raises suspicions of serious criminal offenses, including violations of the Election Law, campaign financing, privacy laws, income tax and more.
Prof. Karine Nahon, president of the Israel Internet Association, says that the network of fictitious users is aimed at swaying public opinion and influence voters.
"Fake news has a far more rapid, wide and varied potential for dissemination than the news that contradicts it and seeks to present reality. As such, there is a fear that this will adversely impact the fair democratic process. "
According to the study's researchers, at the heart of the network is a single Twitter account operated under the user name "Bond." The account, which is linked to all of the other accounts in the network, uses the photo, email and personal information of one Yitzhak Haddad - a self-described "undercover activist" from Ashdod in southern Israel.
Haddad told a private investigator that he was "making videos and all sorts of beautiful things that are going up." When asked whether this work was funded, Haddad said yes.
Asked how much money had been invested in the operation of the network, Haddad said: "I don't want to say tens of millions (of shekels), but a lot of money has been invested."
Hadad also admitted that he was connected to "very senior people" in the Likud.
In a telephone conversation Sunday afternoon, the private investigator asked Yonatan Orich, one of the Likud campaign managers and Netanyahu advisor, if he knew and worked with Haddad, and Orich said yes. He later said that he knew Haddad "only from Facebook" and had never met him.
The Likud said in response: "The Likud is not connected in any way to the network to which you refer. The Likud does not operate any network of bots, avatars, fake profiles and so on. The Likud is almost the only party that does not use such methods."
28 mar 2019
The prosecution of Issa Amro, a prominent Palestinian human rights and anti-settlement activist, over a social media post critical of the Palestinian Authority (PA) “is another devastating blow for freedom of expression in Palestine,” Amnesty International said ahead of his first court hearing on March 28.
Issa Amro, a founding member of the Youth Against Settlements group, was arrested by Palestinian security forces on September 4, 2017 after criticizing the PA on Facebook for arresting a journalist in al-Khalil who had been critical of de factor president Mahmoud Abbas.
“It is disgraceful that Issa Amro is facing a prison term simply for expressing his views promoting human rights online. The Palestinian authorities should drop all charges against him immediately. Criticising an official should never be a crime. If imprisoned, Issa Amro would be a Prisoner of Conscience,” Saleh Higazi, Middle East and North Africa deputy director at Amnesty International, stated.
Upon his arrest by the preventative security forces in 2017, Issa Amro was detained for seven days during which he was allegedly tortured by interrogators from the joint security committee, a body from different security forces. He told Amnesty International that he was held in solitary confinement for five days and that he was punched and threatened with death by interrogators. He was then released on a $1,400 bail.
He has been charged with disturbing “public order” under Palestine’s draconian Electronic Crimes Law, as well as “causing strife” and “insulting the higher authorities” under the 1960 Jordanian Penal code, which is still enforced in the West Bank. If convicted, he will face up to two years in prison and a fine.
When he was released after nearly a week in detention he was told that his case was being frozen as the charges would be dropped and the case closed. However, last month a Palestinian court in al-Khalil reopened his case in an apparent effort to intimidate him into giving up his ongoing work that highlights both Israeli and Palestinian violations.
“The Palestinian authorities have a dire track record of harassing and intimidating peaceful critics and human rights activists. The ongoing persecution of Issa Amro is a dire sign that these unlawful trends are being perpetuated,” Higazi said.
Amro told Amnesty International that he had received death threats on social media and over the phone from supporters of Fatah, the Palestinian political party in power in the West Bank. He said that he feared for his personal safety and added that Palestinian authorities had also threatened those close to him in order to stop them from cooperating with him or with Youth Against Settlements (YAS) which he is associated with.
Last month, Fatah released a press statement urging civil society organizations in al-Khalil not to work with Amro or Youth Against Settlements and warning that those who do so would face retribution.
Amro said that Jewish settlers in al-Khalil have increased their intimidation and incitement against him and members of Youth Against Settlements following the Fatah press statement.
“The Palestinian authorities in the West Bank have a duty to ensure that human rights defenders such as Issa Amro are free to carry out their work without threat, intimidation, or abuse; failure to protect such activities and deliberate interference in their work is a flagrant violation of international law,” Higazi underscored.
Issa Amro, a founding member of the Youth Against Settlements group, was arrested by Palestinian security forces on September 4, 2017 after criticizing the PA on Facebook for arresting a journalist in al-Khalil who had been critical of de factor president Mahmoud Abbas.
“It is disgraceful that Issa Amro is facing a prison term simply for expressing his views promoting human rights online. The Palestinian authorities should drop all charges against him immediately. Criticising an official should never be a crime. If imprisoned, Issa Amro would be a Prisoner of Conscience,” Saleh Higazi, Middle East and North Africa deputy director at Amnesty International, stated.
Upon his arrest by the preventative security forces in 2017, Issa Amro was detained for seven days during which he was allegedly tortured by interrogators from the joint security committee, a body from different security forces. He told Amnesty International that he was held in solitary confinement for five days and that he was punched and threatened with death by interrogators. He was then released on a $1,400 bail.
He has been charged with disturbing “public order” under Palestine’s draconian Electronic Crimes Law, as well as “causing strife” and “insulting the higher authorities” under the 1960 Jordanian Penal code, which is still enforced in the West Bank. If convicted, he will face up to two years in prison and a fine.
When he was released after nearly a week in detention he was told that his case was being frozen as the charges would be dropped and the case closed. However, last month a Palestinian court in al-Khalil reopened his case in an apparent effort to intimidate him into giving up his ongoing work that highlights both Israeli and Palestinian violations.
“The Palestinian authorities have a dire track record of harassing and intimidating peaceful critics and human rights activists. The ongoing persecution of Issa Amro is a dire sign that these unlawful trends are being perpetuated,” Higazi said.
Amro told Amnesty International that he had received death threats on social media and over the phone from supporters of Fatah, the Palestinian political party in power in the West Bank. He said that he feared for his personal safety and added that Palestinian authorities had also threatened those close to him in order to stop them from cooperating with him or with Youth Against Settlements (YAS) which he is associated with.
Last month, Fatah released a press statement urging civil society organizations in al-Khalil not to work with Amro or Youth Against Settlements and warning that those who do so would face retribution.
Amro said that Jewish settlers in al-Khalil have increased their intimidation and incitement against him and members of Youth Against Settlements following the Fatah press statement.
“The Palestinian authorities in the West Bank have a duty to ensure that human rights defenders such as Issa Amro are free to carry out their work without threat, intimidation, or abuse; failure to protect such activities and deliberate interference in their work is a flagrant violation of international law,” Higazi underscored.
24 mar 2019
characters, in which Hazan shoots and kills Zahalka. Zahalka also asked Facebook to remove the clip, citing its racist, violent and inciteful content.
Another election video: Aaron Hazan threatens to kill Palestinian prisoners’
Another election video: Aaron Hazan threatens to kill Palestinian prisoners’
26 feb 2019
Israeli authorities banned on Tuesday a Palestinian woman resident of occupied Jerusalem from entering al-Aqsa Mosque for six months.
Hanadi Halawani, a teacher, wrote in a Facebook post that Israeli authorities issued an order banning her access to the holy shrine.
Halawani was arrested on February 20 from her family house before being shortly released.
She was previously banned from entering the Mosque on several occasions, most recently was for six months.
Israeli police summoned Halawani for an interrogation before she was handed the ban order.
Hanadi Halawani, a teacher, wrote in a Facebook post that Israeli authorities issued an order banning her access to the holy shrine.
Halawani was arrested on February 20 from her family house before being shortly released.
She was previously banned from entering the Mosque on several occasions, most recently was for six months.
Israeli police summoned Halawani for an interrogation before she was handed the ban order.
25 feb 2019
An Israeli news anchor who has blamed the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands for turning regime troops into “animals” has defended her comments despite having received death threats from “thousands.”
Israeli Channel 13 TV anchor Oshrat Kotler had, last week, denounced the mistreatment of Palestinians in Israeli custody, following a piece aired on the channel about five Israeli soldiers indicted for beating two handcuffed and blindfolded Palestinians — a father and his 15-year-old son. video
According to the indictment, the father was hospitalized for three days after sustaining multiple broken ribs, a “severely” broken nose, and subdermal bleeding around his stomach. The son also suffered a number of wounds to his head and “significant swelling” on his face.
After the report was aired, Kotler said, “We send children to the army, to the [occupied] territories, and get back animals. That is the result of the occupation.”
On Saturday, however, Kotler said she stood by her comments despite having been flooded with death threats, according to The Times of Israel.
She accused Israeli politicians of taking “cynical” advantage of her comments and taking them out of context in the midst of an election campaign.
“I am sorry if I hurt anyone with my words, but I cannot see the price we pay through our children for the reality of controlling another nation,” she said, appearing to fight back tears and referring to Palestinians. “We have lived this reality for 52 years. I do not have a magic solution; I am not a politician.”
‘Thousands of death threats’
She said her comments, “spoken with great pain,” had been “directed only at the soldiers who violated the law” and not all Israeli troopers.
“Thousands threatened my life and the life of my family, and I am afraid, but I hope to find the strength to continue and express my opinion as a reporter,” she said.
Israeli NGO Peace Now backed Kotler, saying, “It is permissible and even desirable to look into the mirror from time to time and honestly admit to the damage [caused by] the occupation. Those whose children’s futures are important to them should work to end the conflict rather than maintain it, because the price is high.”
Israeli Channel 13 TV anchor Oshrat Kotler had, last week, denounced the mistreatment of Palestinians in Israeli custody, following a piece aired on the channel about five Israeli soldiers indicted for beating two handcuffed and blindfolded Palestinians — a father and his 15-year-old son. video
According to the indictment, the father was hospitalized for three days after sustaining multiple broken ribs, a “severely” broken nose, and subdermal bleeding around his stomach. The son also suffered a number of wounds to his head and “significant swelling” on his face.
After the report was aired, Kotler said, “We send children to the army, to the [occupied] territories, and get back animals. That is the result of the occupation.”
On Saturday, however, Kotler said she stood by her comments despite having been flooded with death threats, according to The Times of Israel.
She accused Israeli politicians of taking “cynical” advantage of her comments and taking them out of context in the midst of an election campaign.
“I am sorry if I hurt anyone with my words, but I cannot see the price we pay through our children for the reality of controlling another nation,” she said, appearing to fight back tears and referring to Palestinians. “We have lived this reality for 52 years. I do not have a magic solution; I am not a politician.”
‘Thousands of death threats’
She said her comments, “spoken with great pain,” had been “directed only at the soldiers who violated the law” and not all Israeli troopers.
“Thousands threatened my life and the life of my family, and I am afraid, but I hope to find the strength to continue and express my opinion as a reporter,” she said.
Israeli NGO Peace Now backed Kotler, saying, “It is permissible and even desirable to look into the mirror from time to time and honestly admit to the damage [caused by] the occupation. Those whose children’s futures are important to them should work to end the conflict rather than maintain it, because the price is high.”