Digital Disinformation and Hasbara Strategies in the Palestine Conflict

• •Israel allocated £580 million for digital propaganda efforts in 2026.
• •Experts warn of over-moderation of Palestinian content by major tech platforms.
• •Open-source intelligence is crucial for countering disinformation narratives.

On April 7, 2026, a webinar hosted by the Global Alliance for Palestine discussed the extensive Israeli hasbara (propaganda) efforts in the digital realm. Experts highlighted a £580 million budget allocated for social media campaigns aimed at shaping narratives surrounding the conflict. The Israeli government employs targeted advertising, AI tools, and influencer networks to disseminate disinformation and counteract narratives of alleged war crimes. Activists and researchers emphasized the over-moderation of Arabic content on platforms like Meta and Google, which stifles Palestinian voices. The discussion included the use of open-source intelligence (OSINT) to document and counter disinformation, with calls for activists to focus on building political power alongside truth verification. The ongoing digital battle is characterized by sophisticated propaganda techniques that complicate accountability for civilian impacts in Gaza. The current status reflects a growing concern over the effectiveness of these disinformation campaigns in shaping public opinion globally.