DayofPal—A misleading social media post amplified by Donald Trump has brought renewed scrutiny to a network of Israeli actors accused of leveraging artificial intelligence and digital platforms to shape global narratives through unverified and emotionally charged content.
The controversy began when Trump reshared a post by Israeli online figure Etal Yaoby, claiming that eight women depicted in accompanying images were Iranian prisoners facing imminent execution. Framed as a humanitarian appeal, the post quickly gained traction across social media.
However, the claims unraveled under examination. Iranian opposition activists abroad were among the first to dispute the narrative, presenting evidence that contradicted the allegations.
One of the women identified in the post, Dr. Golnarch Naraghi, was reported to have been free for months. Additional doubts emerged regarding the authenticity of the images and the identities of the individuals portrayed.
Iran’s judiciary subsequently issued a formal denial, stating that none of the women were facing execution. Authorities confirmed that while some individuals had been released, others were involved in legal proceedings that could result in prison sentences if upheld in court.
Officials also pointed to a broader pattern of fabricated reports involving alleged death sentences later proven false.
The convergence of denial from both Iranian authorities and opposition figures has intensified questions about the origin of the claims and the mechanisms behind spreading.
Attention has turned to a wider ecosystem of influence operations that incorporate artificial intelligence, social media amplification, and strategic messaging.
One initiative drawing scrutiny is “Generative AI for Good,” an Israeli organization that promotes the use of AI for social impact.
While not directly tied to the viral post, the group has been associated with the production of highly emotional video content featuring AI-generated characters as real individuals.
These videos often depict alleged human rights abuses aligned with pro-Israel narratives. Analysts note that such content blends authentic footage with synthetic elements, creating hybrid narratives that are difficult to independently verify.
The reliance on emotional storytelling, rather than verifiable evidence, increases the likelihood of viral spread.
In public remarks, the organization’s founder, Shiran Mlamdovsky Somech, has emphasized the power of AI to “generate emotion” and drive large-scale engagement. She has described these efforts as part of a broader contest over global narratives in the digital age.
The leadership and contributors involved in such initiatives reflect backgrounds in strategic communication, data analysis, and military-linked experience.
Collaborations reportedly extend to institutions such as the Anti-Defamation League and Israeli government bodies, as well as networks associated with Unit 8200, a well-known Israeli military intelligence unit.
Professionals associated with these efforts include figures with experience in psychotechnical military units and creative storytelling roles, focusing on crafting narratives designed to influence perception and mobilize audiences.
Statements from within these networks frame artificial intelligence not only as a technological tool but as a strategic asset in what analysts describe as “cognitive warfare”, a domain where influencing public perception is as critical as traditional forms of power.
Some projects linked to these initiatives have even been referenced in NATO discussions, where the concept of a “good deepfake” has emerged.
This characterization has raised concerns among experts, who warn that legitimizing manipulated content, even for perceived positive purposes, risks normalizing its use across political and diplomatic arenas.
As AI-generated content becomes more sophisticated, analysts caution that the line between fact and fabrication may continue to blur, posing challenges for verification, accountability, and public trust worldwide.
The leadership behind the initiative provides further insight into its strategic direction.
Founder Shiran Mlamdovsky Somech has openly discussed the power of AI to influence public perception.
In interviews with Israeli media, she emphasized the ability of technology to “generate emotion” and create large-scale engagement. She described these efforts as part of a broader struggle over global narratives.
Her work is closely linked to major Israeli and international institutions.
Collaborations have included organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League, Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, and networks directly associated with Unit 8200, Israel’s elite military intelligence division.
“He who controls the past controls the future; he who controls the present controls the past”, a line from 1984 by George Orwell, “sounds more realistic today than ever,” Shiran Mlamdovsky Somech wrote in a Hebrew op-ed published in Calcalist.
“What if history could be rewritten at the touch of a button? What if any historical event, fact, or figure could change in an instant?” she added.
She explicitly says that, “used wisely”, the technology can be used to “combat disinformation and incitement directed at Israel”, create “positive narratives”, and “increase monitoring capabilities for hostile content distributed on social media,” adding that “Israel has the opportunity not only to survive, but also to lead the way in using advanced technologies to shape positive narratives and protect its future.”
Other members of the team bring similar backgrounds. Noa Rosenberg, a senior marketing figure in the organization, previously served in a psychotechnical unit within the Israeli military, according to her Linkdin profile.
Another member, Tal Harary, works as a creative director and storyteller. On her LinkedIn profile, she describes her role as “turning human stories into action” and crafting narratives that “move people” at the intersection of storytelling, social change, and AI innovation.
Her emphasis on emotionally driven storytelling raises questions about how such narratives are constructed and presented, particularly when they appear as personal testimonies that cannot be verified independently.
The broader team consists largely of Israeli professionals trained in analytics, finance, and strategic communication, fields often linked to influence and information campaigns.
Shortlink for this post: https://daysofpalestine.ps/?p=74235
