On Azriel, head of the activist group Bodkim, first noticed unusual activity in the Israeli news flow about a year ago. Bodkim specializes in identifying and debunking false information circulating online. Azriel recalls detecting a targeted campaign portraying Egypt as increasingly aggressive, featuring doctored images of Egyptian tanks. These photographs, actually taken years earlier at a base in southern Egypt, were presented as current events in Sinai and appeared on major media outlets including Channel 12, Channel 14, and newspapers such as Israel Hayom, Maariv, and Srugim. Azriel immediately recognized the signs of coordinated manipulation rather than random misinformation, describing the operation as “insane” and deliberately timed.
Following the initial detection, Azriel collaborated with Nadav Galon and the disinformation watchdog FakeReporter, both partners at Bodkim. They investigated the posts in real time, analyzing sources, verifying images, and tracing the campaign’s reach. The timing of the campaign was particularly suspicious, coinciding with the detention of Netanyahu’s advisers, Yonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein, in the Qatargate and BibiLeaks affairs. Azriel emphasized that for Urich or Feldstein to participate in such a campaign would have been highly unlikely, given that they were already under the scrutiny of Israel’s internal security service, Shin Bet.
The revelations build on earlier reporting by Haaretz, which uncovered ties between Qatar and Netanyahu’s aides in the Qatargate affair, illustrating how political influence and manipulation can extend from social media into mainstream narratives. Azriel’s investigations revealed that many of the fakes were carefully crafted, using images and narratives recycled from past events, and designed to manipulate public perception on sensitive diplomatic issues. A key example included fake reporting claiming that U.S. funds had indirectly financed protests against Netanyahu’s government, citing a Channel 12 News post by Amit Segal that suggested over 1,000 anti-Netanyahu NGOs received nearly $1 billion from the United States over four years. Bodkim quickly analyzed and debunked these claims, showing how such narratives were weaponized in political messaging.
Azriel is part of a broader ecosystem of Israeli digital activists, including Revital Salomon (known online as TheSharkLady) and Tomer Balan, who use open-source intelligence techniques to trace and expose misinformation. Salomon, with a background in journalism and digital content management, focuses on uncovering AI-generated images and manipulated social media posts, including examples posted by the Prime Minister’s Office itself. Balan has analyzed historical patterns, linking cash transfers from Qatar to escalations in Gaza, highlighting how narratives are reshaped and exploited in political propaganda. Together, these activists monitor social media, cross-check sources, and expose misleading content, sometimes within hours, to prevent falsehoods from influencing public debate.
Haaretz reports that Bodkim and its allies have managed to create a form of accountability in the digital space, challenging both partisan media and political operatives. Azriel explains that exposing fakes quickly is essential, as misinformation that remains unchecked for even a few days can shape entire debates and distort democratic processes. While the reach of these activist networks is limited compared to the vast followings of pro-government social media accounts, their work provides critical counterpressure. By documenting and publicizing the falsities, they create a deterrent, signaling to politicians and journalists that deliberate manipulation can be identified and challenged.
The reporting also underscores the broader risks of disinformation in Israeli politics. Experts like Sharon Ringel of the University of Haifa note that while online projects can penetrate closed social media bubbles and influence some segments of the public, the long-term solution relies on professional journalism to verify and report the truth. For Azriel, Salomon, and Balan, their work is driven by a commitment to democracy, independent verification, and public accountability. They refuse political affiliation or financial support from parties, aiming instead to protect the integrity of public discourse amid an increasingly manipulative media environment.
