Anti-Muslim Influence Campaign Targeting UK Traced to Israel
Academics uncover a massive, covert digital propaganda operation originating from Israeli-based internet infrastructure.
1Covert Digital Influence Operation
A major investigation has linked a persistent anti-Muslim propaganda campaign targeting the United Kingdom to Israel. Researchers Marc Owen Jones and Sohan Dsouza identified over 154 million exposures to material between 2024 and 2026. The operation utilized paid advertisements to push false narratives regarding an alleged Islamic takeover of Britain.
2Timing and Social Unrest
The campaign intensified during the lead-up to the 2024 UK general election and the subsequent anti-Muslim riots following the Southport murders. Disinformation falsely claimed that the perpetrator, Axel Rudakubana, was a Muslim. This content significantly fueled social disorder, prompting then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer to warn tech firms regarding hate speech.
3Scale of Financial Investment
Facebook pages disseminating anti-Muslim messages spent over £500,000 on advertising throughout 2024. Academics described this as the largest covert influence operation targeting the UK by reach and total ad spend. The content included AI-generated imagery, such as mosques near Parliament, and mini-documentaries falsely labeling British cities as being occupied by immigrants.
4Technical Evidence of Origin
Digital forensics traced editing work to a fixed-line internet address in Israel. Metadata from 78 video files on Telegram revealed Hebrew labels, nicknames, and specific Mac model identifiers. Furthermore, a Windows account’s time zone shift from UTC+3 to UTC+2 in October 2025 aligns with Israel’s transition to winter time, confirming the origin.
5Narrative and Strategic Goals
The campaign portrayed Qatar as a hidden power directing Muslim immigration to 'Islamise' Europe, mirroring antisemitic tropes often associated with George Soros. Advertisements warned of an 'invasion' and specifically targeted the UK, France, and the US. The operation continued across Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok well into 2025 and 2026.
6Political Context and Alliances
While no evidence links the Israeli government directly to the campaign, Israeli ministers have openly aligned with British far-right figures. Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli has promoted activist Tommy Robinson, arguing that radical Islam is a useful narrative to leverage. Additionally, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly branded the UK the 'Islamic Republic of Britain'.
7Broader Regional Influence Efforts
This operation is part of a wider trend of influence efforts. The New York Times previously reported that Israel's diaspora ministry spent $2 million on campaigns targeting Americans with pro-Israel messaging. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also recently claimed that Britain is a country conquered by radical Islam, echoing the campaign's core themes.
8Implications for Digital Security
The investigation highlights the vulnerability of democratic processes to sophisticated, foreign-originated disinformation campaigns. By exploiting social tensions and using AI-generated content, the operation successfully reached millions, influencing public discourse during critical political cycles. This case underscores the urgent need for enhanced transparency and regulation regarding political advertising on global platforms.
Original article: Middle East Eye — Anti-Muslim Influence Campaign Targeting UK Traced to Israel