genocide

Israel floods US phones with AI messages in campaign to manipulate public opinion

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Artificial Intelligence, AI [Wikipedia]

Israel is using AI-generated text messages, conservative media and online influencers in an expanding campaign to stem the collapse in US public support, according to an investigation by The Wall Street Journal.

The effort reaches from millions of Americans having their mobile phones flooded with pro-Israel content, evangelical churches to university campuses, social-media feeds and even the online material used by AI chatbots.

According to the Journal, the Israeli government has retained at least six firms to conduct influence operations in the US, while around three dozen marketing and communications professionals have registered as foreign agents working on its behalf.

The campaign comes amid growing American opposition to Israel following its genocide in Gaza and war with Iran. A Pew Research Center survey conducted in March found that 60 per cent of US adults held an unfavourable view of Israel, compared with 42 per cent in 2022.

The campaign involves millions of AI-assisted text messages sent to American mobile phones. To pass of as a real campaign, senders are said to identify themselves as Emma, Sarah or John and claim to represent an organisation called Friends for Peace. They begin by asking recipients for their views about Israel, Iran or the US-Israel relationship before directing the conversation towards arguments supporting Israel.

However, the Journal found no evidence that Friends for Peace exists as a registered non-profit organisation or company. Recipients could not find a website identifying who runs or finances the group.

When people asked how it had obtained their numbers, the system replied that the information came from publicly available sources.

The text operation is run by Sparkfire, a company specialising in AI-assisted political outreach. It had received $6.5 million by mid-May, although the company maintained that human employees supervise the conversations and sometimes communicate directly with recipients.

Sparkfire’s work forms part of a broader Israeli contract with Brad Parscale, a former adviser to US President Donald Trump who worked on his 2016 and 2020 election campaigns. The agreement, worth more than $45 million, covers digital advertising, AI messaging, websites and mass text campaigns.

Read: Israel to spend $730m on propaganda as global image collapses over Gaza genocide

Parscale also serves as chief strategy officer at Salem Media, a major conservative radio and podcast company carrying presenters including Hugh Hewitt, Scott Jennings and Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law.

Parscale’s original contract with Israel proposed integrating campaign narratives into Salem’s media properties and associated distribution channels. More than $500,000 was subsequently spent on advertising through the network.

Israel has also sought to reinforce support among evangelical Christians, who remain one of its most dependable political constituencies in the US.

Show Faith by Works, a recently created US advocacy group contracted as part of Israel’s influence campaign, proposed using geofencing technology to target around four million people attending megachurches and Christian colleges in the south-western US.

Geofencing allows advertisers to send material to mobile devices detected within specified locations, including churches, campuses and religious gatherings.

Documents said the campaign would seek to create “positive associations” with Israel while linking Palestinians to extremist organisations. Its proposed budget exceeded $3 million.

Actor Chris Pratt and basketball player Stephen Curry were named as examples of celebrities who could serve as influential advocates.

Other parts of the campaign seek to reach younger and more socially liberal audiences through online personalities. Companies belonging to smaller online personalities have received payments as well.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has met conservative influencers during recent visits to the US as his government seeks to counter the rise in support for Palestine in US.

The campaign is also attempting to influence the information Americans receive from AI chatbots. Parscale’s team has created websites, articles and links containing pro-Israel material designed to appear in search results and become sources for systems such as ChatGPT and Claude.

One example is Allyvia.org, a website promoting the US-Israel alliance which AI chatbots have reportedly cited when answering questions.

The campaign has provoked criticism within the Trump administration. US Vice President JD Vance accused Israeli officials of trying to manipulate American opinion to prolong the war with Iran and undermine negotiations.

Speaking to podcaster Joe Rogan, Vance alleged that officials were “manipulating and trying to change American public opinion to keep the war going on indefinitely”.

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Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza's hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel. Will I be replacing Andy Burnham for Starmer behind this speech bubble?
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Orcas discuss Donald Trump and the killer apes' concept of democracy. Front Orca warns that Trump is crashing his country's economy and that everything he does he does for the fantastically wealthy.
Orcas discuss Donald Trump and the killer apes’ concept of democracy. Front Orca warns that Trump is crashing his country’s economy and that everything he does he does for the fantastically wealthy.

Continue ReadingIsrael floods US phones with AI messages in campaign to manipulate public opinion

Iran says it downed US MQ-9 drone in Ahvaz: Report

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A U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone flies a training mission over the Nevada Test and Training Range, in Nevada, United States. [USAF – William Rio Rosado – Anadolu Agency]

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) shot down a US MQ-9 drone over the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz, Iran’s state-run broadcaster IRIB reported on Sunday.

There was no immediate comment from US officials on the claim.

Tensions between the US and Iran have escalated in recent weeks over the Strait of Hormuz, with the two sides trading attacks despite a Pakistani-mediated framework agreement aimed at ending the conflict and reaching a lasting peace deal.

READ: At least 6 missiles hit Iran’s Qeshm Island amid new US strikes

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Genocide denying former UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy says that UK is suspending 30 of 350 arms licences to Israel. He also confirms the UK government's support for Israel's Gaza genocide and the UK government and military's active participation in genocide.
Genocide denying UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy says that UK is suspending 30 of 350 arms licences to Israel. He also confirms the UK government’s support for Israel’s Gaza genocide and the UK government and military’s active participation in genocide.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.

Continue ReadingIran says it downed US MQ-9 drone in Ahvaz: Report

Palestinian woman dies after Israeli army delays ambulance for more than 30 minutes in Ramallah

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An ambulance is seen while Israeli military vehicles close entrances to the city after imposing a curfew as the Israeli army launches a large-scale attack in Tubas, West Bank on November 26, 2025. [Issam Rimawi – Anadolu Agency]

An official announced Saturday that a 30-year-old Palestinian woman who suffered a heart attack died after the Israeli army held up the ambulance carrying her for more than 30 minutes at a military barrier at the entrance to the town, Anadolu reports.

Mayor Mutez Tawafsha from the Sinjil Municipality, a town near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, said in a video statement that an ambulance attempting to transport Sujoud Fuqaha, a mother of two, to the hospital was forced to wait for more than 30 minutes at the military gate before being granted permission to pass.

Emphasizing that time is critical in medical emergencies, Tawafsha said, “The woman needed to reach the hospital as quickly as possible in order to receive the necessary treatment. How many more innocent lives will these iron gates and military barriers continue to claim in the town of Sinjil?”

Footage showed Tawafsha standing in front of the iron gate, the ambulance waiting for the gate to be opened and permission to pass before transporting Fuqaha. It also showed medical workers making urgent verbal appeals for the gate to be opened in an effort to save her life.

READ: UN chief  ‘deeply alarmed’ by Israel granting city status to illegal settlement in occupied West Bank

Sinjil is frequently targeted by the Israeli army and occupiers amid Israel’s military control over the town’s entrances and severe restrictions imposed on the movement of Palestinians.

Since October 2023, there has been a sharp increase in attacks by the Israeli army and occupiers who have seized Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank.

According to official Palestinian figures, 1,181 Palestinians have been killed, 13,000 have been injured and nearly 24,000 detained during the period.

A report published July 6 by the Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission said Israeli occupiers carried out 3,488 attacks against Palestinian communities during the first half of the year, including assaults, the burning of homes, shootings, land seizures, and the establishment of unauthorized settlement outposts.

Seventeen were killed in the attacks.

READ: West Bank: Israeli settler hits Palestinian child with car while playing in Hebron

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Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Genocide denying former UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy says that UK is suspending 30 of 350 arms licences to Israel. He also confirms the UK government's support for Israel's Gaza genocide and the UK government and military's active participation in genocide.
Genocide denying UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy says that UK is suspending 30 of 350 arms licences to Israel. He also confirms the UK government’s support for Israel’s Gaza genocide and the UK government and military’s active participation in genocide.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.

Continue ReadingPalestinian woman dies after Israeli army delays ambulance for more than 30 minutes in Ramallah

US strike on water desalination plant left about 10,000 without water: Iranian official

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An anti-U.S. banner featuring the inscription “You will drown in the sea of the Iranian nation’s revenge” is displayed on a building at Fatimi Square in Tehran, Iran, on July 16, 2026. [Fatemeh Bahrami – Anadolu Agency]

A US strike on a water desalination plant in Iran’s southeastern coastal village of Bunji, in Hormozgan province, has left around 10,000 without water, a provincial official said on Saturday, Anadolu reports.

The attack “completely disrupted the supply of drinking water to 20 villages with a population of about 10,000 people,” Iran’s semi-official news agency Tasnim quoted the CEO of the Hormozgan Water and Wastewater Company as saying.

“These villages are facing a water shortage crisis,” added the official.

Tensions have heightened in the Middle East, where the US and Iran continue to exchange attacks in recent days.

The military escalation comes despite a Pakistan-brokered memorandum of understanding signed in June to end the war and reach a lasting peace agreement.

READ: Iran says it destroyed US unmanned depot, AI center in Bahrain

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Genocide denying former UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy says that UK is suspending 30 of 350 arms licences to Israel. He also confirms the UK government's support for Israel's Gaza genocide and the UK government and military's active participation in genocide.
Genocide denying UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy says that UK is suspending 30 of 350 arms licences to Israel. He also confirms the UK government’s support for Israel’s Gaza genocide and the UK government and military’s active participation in genocide.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.

Continue ReadingUS strike on water desalination plant left about 10,000 without water: Iranian official

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US says naval blockade of Iran remains in effect

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The United States announces that the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, carrying 3,500 U.S. troops, has reached the area of responsibility of U.S. Central Command in the Middle East on March 2026. [US CENTCOM/Handout – Anadolu Agency]

US forces continue to enforce a naval blockade against Iran in the Arabian Sea, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Saturday, Anadolu reports.

“American forces continue to strictly enforce the ongoing naval blockade against Iran,” the command said in a post on the US social media platform X, alongside a photograph it said showed the guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook transiting the Arabian Sea while an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter operated nearby.

CENTCOM said that, as of Saturday, US forces had redirected five commercial vessels and disabled another.

READ: US strike on water desalination plant left about 10,000 without water: Iranian official

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Genocide denying former UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy says that UK is suspending 30 of 350 arms licences to Israel. He also confirms the UK government's support for Israel's Gaza genocide and the UK government and military's active participation in genocide.
Genocide denying UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy says that UK is suspending 30 of 350 arms licences to Israel. He also confirms the UK government’s support for Israel’s Gaza genocide and the UK government and military’s active participation in genocide.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.

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