Russia is exploiting America’s divisive debate over Israel’s offensive in Gaza to aggravate political tensions and tarnish Washington’s global image. Through overt and covert propaganda campaigns involving artificial intelligence, fake social media accounts, and increased propaganda from Russian state media, Russia aims to portray Washington as fueling the violence in the Israel-Hamas conflict. This effort is part of Russia’s ongoing information war against the United States, focusing on exploiting existing political rifts to undermine the West and divert attention from its invasion of Ukraine.
The campaign is the latest example of Russia’s strategy to seize on existing political divisions in America and other NATO countries, according to sources and independent researchers. By portraying itself as a champion of the Palestinians and diverting attention from its invasion of Ukraine, Russia is using the conflict in Gaza to deflect negative attention and strengthen its own image. By spreading disinformation and propaganda on social media platforms, Russia aims to shape attitudes on the war in Ukraine and attract more readers to pro-Russian content.
Russia’s disinformation campaign also extends to Europe, with French officials accusing a Russian-linked network of bots of stoking antisemitism by amplifying images of Stars of David graffiti in Paris. This strategy aims to exploit international crises, sow confusion, and create tensions in public debate in France and Europe. The discrediting of American democracy is a common theme in Russian information operations, painting America as a failing democratic state and undermining democratic institutions and processes through social, political, and economic divisions.
Despite these efforts, U.S. officials and experts caution against overstating the impact of Russian propaganda on the debate over Israel’s campaign in Gaza or implying that demonstrations in the U.S. are orchestrated by Moscow. While Russia’s information operations aim to amplify divisions and shape attitudes on various issues, protests in the U.S. are driven by internal dynamics rather than external influence. Reports on propaganda efforts by foreign actors over protest movements need to be treated with caution to avoid delegitimizing authentic democratic movements in the United States.
Russia’s disinformation campaign also targets President Joe Biden and his fellow Democrats in advance of the 2024 U.S. election, using fake online accounts and bots to damage their reputation. These attacks are part of Moscow’s broader efforts to undercut American military aid to Ukraine, US support for NATO, and influence U.S. politics. By spreading disinformation and propaganda on social media platforms, Russia aims to shape public opinion, amplify divisions, and advance its own strategic interests, including diverting attention from its conflicts in Ukraine and portraying itself as a champion of the Palestinians.
