Political warfare against Israel, led by Russia and China

**U.S. Intelligence Reports Foreign Influence Operations Targeting Israel Amid Gaza Conflict**

*Washington, D.C.* – U.S. intelligence agencies have warned that the Gaza war has created conditions that foreign governments are exploiting to influence public opinion and policy in the United States and other Western countries. The report identifies Russia, China, Iran, Qatar, and Turkey as the primary actors behind these efforts.

### Historical Context

The U.S. Department of Defense and the Central Intelligence Agency have documented a long history of Soviet interference in the Middle East. During the Cold War, the KGB ran a program known as “Operation SIG,” which aimed to undermine U.S. and British interests by framing the Arab–Israeli conflict as a struggle for national liberation. The operation reportedly involved the creation of the Palestinian National Charter and the manipulation of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to attack Israel.

### Recent Activities

According to a U.S. intelligence assessment released in 2024, China has intensified its political warfare campaign in the wake of the Gaza conflict. The U.S. Department of Justice and the House Ways and Means Committee are investigating alleged Chinese funding of anti‑Israel protests in the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom. The investigations focus on groups such as Code Pink: Women for Peace, which has organized anti‑Israel and pro‑Hamas demonstrations since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Senator Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has suggested that Beijing has provided “hundreds of millions of dollars” to such groups. Similar investigations are underway in the United Kingdom, where authorities are probing alleged Chinese involvement in protests against U.S. military bases.

### Impact on U.S. Policy and Public Opinion

The intelligence community notes that the Gaza conflict has amplified anti‑Israel narratives across social media, mainstream media, and public demonstrations. Analysts argue that these campaigns are part of a broader strategy to “subvert, divide, destabilize and damage” U.S. interests by targeting Israel, which U.S. officials view as a strategic partner.

### Israel’s Role in U.S. Security

U.S. officials and defense analysts emphasize Israel’s contribution to American national security. Former Israeli ambassador Yoram Ettinger has described Israel as a “leading force multiplier” for the United States. He cites a $3.8 billion annual defense contribution that yields a return on investment of over 1,000 percent, according to U.S. estimates.

Ettinger also highlights Israel’s role in testing U.S. weapons systems, such as the F‑35 fighter jet, and in providing intelligence on adversaries, including nuclear proliferation and cyber threats. Former U.S. Air Force Intelligence chief Gen. George Keegan has stated that the intelligence received from Israel could not have been obtained with five CIA agencies, underscoring the value of Israeli intelligence to U.S. operations.

### International Implications

The article notes that Israel’s military actions have influenced the strategic calculations of Russia and China in the Middle East. For example, Israel’s operations in Syria are said to have contributed to the withdrawal of Russian forces following the fall of Bashar al‑Assad’s regime in December 2024. Israel’s engagement with Iranian forces has also reportedly limited China’s ability to secure shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz.

Germany’s navy recently tested Israel’s LORA ballistic missile from a frigate in the North Atlantic, a development that the German navy described as “making naval history” and providing a new long‑range precision‑strike capability.

### Domestic Political Dynamics

The intelligence assessment also points to a perceived decline in support for Israel within the Democratic Party and a growing divide among Republicans. Analysts suggest that some U.S. politicians may be influenced by foreign propaganda campaigns, though the assessment does not provide specific evidence of direct interference in domestic politics.

### Conclusion

The U.S. intelligence community’s findings underscore a coordinated effort by several foreign governments to influence public opinion and policy regarding Israel. The assessment highlights Israel’s strategic importance to U.S. national security and the potential consequences of foreign interference on U.S. foreign policy and domestic politics.

Article and image source: jns.org