Report uncovers Israel-linked disinformation campaign targeting Muslims and migrants across 30 countries
A three-year investigation has uncovered a large-scale digital influence operation targeting Muslims and migrants across 30 countries, with evidence pointing to Israel-based operators. The campaign used artificial intelligence-generated videos, paid social media advertisements and other digital content to promote anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant, anti-Qatar and anti-Iran narratives.
The findings are detailed in a report titled Manufacturing the “Great Replacement”, published on October 29 by Marc Owen Jones, a media analysis researcher at Northwestern University in Qatar, and open-source intelligence (OSINT) specialist Sohan Dsouza.
According to the investigation, the operation ran between October 2023 and October 2026, reaching audiences across Europe, North and South America, Asia and the Middle East.
The researchers documented approximately 533 million advertising exposures, with the total projected to reach around 831 million when accounting for advertisements missing from available archives. The campaign's advertising expenditure was estimated at approximately $5.08 million based on recorded activity, potentially rising to $8.22 million under the researchers' broader projection.
CAMPAIGN SPANNED 30 COUNTRIES
The investigation identified 2,126 advertisements and videos distributed across Facebook, YouTube and TikTok, alongside activity on other digital platforms.
The campaign reportedly relied on paid social media advertisements, AI-generated videos and songs, video game parodies and repurposed footage to spread its messaging.
Among the narratives promoted was the so-called “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory, which falsely claims that European populations are being deliberately replaced through immigration. The campaign portrayed Qatar as a hidden force allegedly orchestrating Muslim migration and seeking to “Islamise” Europe.
Other content targeted Iran and Hezbollah, particularly among audiences in Lebanon.
EVIDENCE POINTS TO ISRAEL-BASED OPERATORS
The researchers said technical evidence indicated, with moderate to high confidence, that the campaign originated in Israel.
Their findings included an Israeli fixed-line IP address exposed during a Wikipedia editing session linked to campaign accounts, as well as video metadata indicating production on computers using Hebrew-language file and folder names and operating within an Israeli working-week pattern.
The investigation also identified links between campaign material and individuals and companies associated with Israel's political communications industry.
However, the researchers stressed that the identity of the client who commissioned the operation had not been established. The findings do not conclusively demonstrate that the Israeli government directed or financed the campaign.
61% OF A SAMPLE OF FACEBOOK COMMENTS SUPPORTED ISLAMOPHOBIC VIEWS
The report also examined audience reactions to the campaign's content.
Of 406 comments analysed under Facebook advertisements targeting audiences in the United Kingdom in 2024, 61% expressed support for Islamophobic views, while 19% opposed them.
A separate analysis of 2,560 YouTube comments found that 28% supported the advertisements' messages, compared with 42% who opposed them.
The findings have renewed concerns about the use of artificial intelligence, digital advertising networks and social media platforms to spread discriminatory narratives and conduct coordinated influence operations across national borders.
