How Israeli Intelligence Is Shaping the News You Read

In recent years, international media has seen a growing influence of Israeli elites, with some journalists acting as propaganda tools to promote Israeli policies. A comprehensive investigation by journalist Alan MacLeod for the “MintPress” website shed light on one of the prominent figures in this sphere: Israeli journalist Barak Ravid. Currently working for “Axios,” Ravid exemplifies how media relations are exploited to further political and security agendas that serve Israel, both in the Middle East and on the global stage.

Barak Ravid, a former analyst in “Unit 8200,” Israel’s largest intelligence unit, continued to serve in the unit’s reserves until recently. His articles have stirred widespread controversy, especially those that used questionable logic, such as “de-escalation through escalation,” in the context of Israeli attacks against Hezbollah. This justification, seen by many as an attempt to market violence as a means to achieve peace, exposes the depth of media manipulation that benefits Israeli interests.

The increasing influence of Israel’s intelligence unit, “Unit 8200,” is revealed more each day in this ongoing conflict. This unit, which is the largest intelligence apparatus in Israel, doesn’t limit its activities to intelligence gathering or cyber operations. It also directly influences global media by placing former intelligence officers in top positions within major media outlets and tech companies. Barak Ravid serves as a prime example of this influence; he worked as an analyst in “Unit 8200” and continued to serve as a prominent journalist in American media, such as “Axios,” where he relays narratives that serve Israeli interests through his “anonymous” sources within the White House and the Israeli government.

Ravid is not merely a local Israeli journalist; he has reached a position that enables him to influence American media policy. He even received the White House Press Award, presented to him personally by President Joe Biden. This honor reflects the double standards in dealing with Palestinian journalists, who face ongoing violence and media suppression. Ravid has extensive experience in political journalism and international relations. He began his “career” at “Yedioth Ahronoth,” one of the largest Israeli newspapers, then moved to “Walla,” where he was one of the leading journalists covering Israeli affairs. He is known for his ability to handle information and intelligence, which provides him with deep insight into the region’s intelligence and political operations. In 2021, he joined “Axios,” becoming a key voice in covering Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and major political events. His reporting highlights the complex relationship between media and intelligence in “Israel,” and how information is used in the context of the ongoing conflict.

Moreover, and perhaps most dangerously according to the “MintPress” report, Ravid attempts to portray that President Joe Biden is at odds with Netanyahu. In April, he claimed that “President Biden issued a final warning to Netanyahu during their call: If Israel does not change its course in Gaza, we will not be able to support you,” alleging that Biden was acting with the utmost determination to end the fighting in Gaza for the past six months. He also pointed out that U.S. policy on the war would depend on Israel’s compliance with its demands, which included an “immediate ceasefire.” In July, he repeated what anonymous sources claimed was Netanyahu and Israel’s pursuit of a “diplomatic solution,” a dubious assertion. Other articles by Ravid, following the same pattern, included reports such as: “Biden tells Bibi (Netanyahu’s nickname) he does not want a year-long war in Gaza,” “White House cancels meeting and scolds Netanyahu over video,” and “Biden loses patience with Bibi as the Gaza war hits 100 days.” Regarding the escalation between Biden and Netanyahu, Ravid mentioned that Biden warned of the “red lines” set by the Israeli government and emphasized that the White House had lost trust in the Israeli government amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Let’s not forget the famous report about Biden playing Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood” after selling Netanyahu millions of dollars’ worth of weapons. The tragic irony here is that the Biden administration continued to support Israeli attacks, blocked ceasefire resolutions at the United Nations, and sent $18 billion worth of weapons to “Israel” in the past 12 months. Ravid’s reports deceive people, including some journalists, allowing the Biden administration to distance itself from what international bodies have described as genocide, helping to bolster satisfaction among liberal elites who read “Axios” and continue to believe that the United States is a fair peace broker rather than a major supporter of Israel.

The “MintPress” report also reveals other figures alongside Ravid, such as Shachar Peled, who served as an officer in “Unit 8200” and led a team of analysts in surveillance, intelligence, and cyber warfare. She later worked as a tech analyst for Israel’s “Shin Bet” intelligence agency before moving to CNN, where she became a producer and writer for prominent programs like those of Fareed Zakaria and Christiane Amanpour. In a new move, she joined Google as a Senior Media Specialist.

Tal Heinrich, who also spent three years as an agent in “Unit 8200,” later worked at CNN as a field producer and news producer at its Jerusalem office. She was one of the main journalists who helped shape American understanding of the 2014 Gaza offensive, known as “Operation Protective Edge.” She later became the official spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Similarly, Tamar Michaeli, currently working at CNN, has previous experience as a spokesperson for the occupation “army.” She contributes to producing much of the Israeli/Palestinian content, reflecting the network’s continued tendency to hire figures connected to the Israeli occupation.

Meanwhile, Anat Schwartz, a former officer in Israeli aerial intelligence, was appointed by The New York Times despite her lack of journalistic experience. Schwartz’s controversial report, titled “Silent Cries,” faced heavy criticism for its lack of evidence and credible information (see Al-Akhbar, 28/1/2024).

Additionally, the report references David Brooks, a star columnist at “The New York Times,” who has sons serving in the Israeli “army,” highlighting conflicts of interest in media coverage. The “MintPress” report also mentions Jeffrey Goldberg, a former writer at “The New York Times” and now editor-in-chief of “The Atlantic,” who left his studies at the University of Pennsylvania to join the Israeli forces as a “prison guard” during the First Palestinian Intifada, suggesting that his military experience influences his writing.

Furthermore, the report points out several former “Unit 8200” agents who transitioned to work in social media companies like Facebook, which employs a significant number of them, including Amy Palmer, who serves on Meta’s Oversight Board, significantly impacting platform content. “Human Rights Watch” confirmed this bias, highlighting how “Meta” suppresses Palestinian voices.

Lastly, the report discusses Asaf Hochman, who was appointed as the Global Head of Product Strategy and Operations at TikTok after spending over five years as an Israeli spy.

As this war makes clear, Western media is used as an effective tool to create biased narratives that serve Israeli interests, portraying the United States as an impartial mediator in the conflict. Major media outlets like CNN and The New York Times adopt these narratives without disclosing their employment of journalists linked to the Israeli forces. This media blackout reinforces the idea of bias towards Israel and contributes to suppressing Palestinian content on social media platforms. Additionally, the hiring of former “Unit 8200” employees in companies like “Meta” and, to a lesser extent, “TikTok,” strengthens censorship on Palestinian content and ensures the continued dominance of Israeli narratives on social media platforms.

“Unit 8200’s” activities extend beyond the media; they gather sensitive intelligence data on Palestinians, including medical and biometric information, which is used for blackmail and recruiting agents. The unit also developed spyware like “Pegasus,” used to spy on international figures, such as French President Emmanuel Macron and journalist Jamal Khashoggi before his assassination. In Gaza, AI was utilized to build kill lists that targeted civilians and journalists (Al-Akhbar, Monday, December 4, 2023). This Israeli infiltration into media and technology poses a serious threat to freedom of expression, enhancing Israeli dominance over media narratives and suppressing voices that support Palestinians.

The role of the media, naturally, is fundamental in shaping public opinion and guiding political stances. This role is often exploited to reinforce normalization with the occupation and polish its image in front of Arab and international communities. Pro-occupation or complicit media relies on “various narrative manipulation strategies,” including distorting facts, ignoring Palestinian narratives, and focusing on terminology that serves political agendas aimed at portraying the occupation as a legitimate party or a victim in the conflict. This includes presenting military assaults on Gaza and Lebanon as “defensive operations” while ignoring the colonial and occupation dimension of the conflict.

Additionally, social media plays a dual role in this context. While it serves as a platform for liberation forces and exposing committed crimes, it has also become a battleground for media conflicts, as algorithms on platforms like Facebook and Instagram suppress pro-Palestinian content and censor narratives that expose occupation violations. Moreover, independent journalists and free media outlets attempting to highlight anti-occupation narratives face increasing pressure and threats, whether from regimes allied with the occupation or from pro-Israel lobbies in the West. These journalists are targeted through defamation campaigns and accusations of anti-Semitism, creating a climate of fear and self-censorship. This environment hinders attempts to provide an accurate depiction of the reality of occupation and resistance, paving the way for the dominance of narratives promoting normalization.