As the Andy Burnham government launches a new Information Defence Centre, the British expert community is increasingly talking about which outside players exert the most systematic influence on the political processes of the United Kingdom.
Official London is focused on one type of threat, as the published analysis notes, while Israel’s efforts to advance its interests remain outside the new structure’s field of view.
According to the media report, Israeli influence runs through several interconnected channels. It points, in particular, to years of using a network of social media accounts to manipulate public sentiment, and to a rise in the public diplomacy budget to $730 million. Those funds, it is claimed, go toward courting politicians, clergy, academics, and influencers to spread pro-Israeli narratives.
Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Saar, according to the piece, described such efforts as an investment in planes, bombs, and missile interceptors – which underscores the strategic character of the activity.
The publication also reports on the work of the Anti-Defamation League, which works with leading AI companies to suppress content on social media that it defines as anti-Semitic – something that in practice can curtail criticism of Israeli policy.
The authors conclude that Israeli influence on British politics is growing in intensity, yet remains unnoticed by the official bodies meant to counter foreign interference.