It is essential for ‘Israel’ control on social media to belong to our community

A few days ago, I came across an intriguing topic on Marketplace that immediately caught my attention as someone interested in technology.

The article mentioned that the @Israel channel on Telegram—one of the most popular messaging platforms, which recently blocked some channels affiliated with Hamas yet continues to be frequented by its supporters—was acquired by a Japanese individual named Ken Nohara. What made this even more fascinating than the considerable sum paid for the channel was the fact that it was purchased by someone who isn’t Jewish and the reason behind the purchase.

The @Israel account had previously been used to disseminate anti-Israel content and conduct perception management operations. While these activities were not overtly blatant, they were carried out subtly. It wouldn’t be too far-fetched to think that individuals associated with Hamas, Hezbollah, or even countries like Turkey and Iran might have been involved in managing it.

Interestingly, this account was purchased on Fragment, a popular platform for trading Telegram accounts, by a young Japanese entrepreneur named Ken Nohara. With this acquisition, he effectively ended the channel’s involvement in these perception operations. Nohara’s statement on the matter is highly commendable: “I will return it to the appropriate authorities when requested. This hasn’t happened yet, and unless this is internal sabotage, I would be honored to assist Israel on the cyber front.”

During such a critical period, when combating multiple adversaries, we must ensure that we do not allow our enemies to exploit social media for significant matters like these. This isn’t just any channel we’re discussing; it’s an account bearing the name @Israel. Such an account must unquestionably remain under the control of our state.

This incident highlights once again the importance of maintaining and strengthening Israel’s presence on social media platforms. Nohara’s strategic move not only secured control of a key channel but also helped to prevent the systematic disinformation campaign against Israel. However, this issue cannot be addressed through individual efforts alone; a broader, more comprehensive strategy is essential. Social media has become one of the most critical fronts of modern warfare, and platforms like Telegram and X can serve as powerful weapons for organizations aiming to discredit Israel. Even an account that appears harmless on the surface can cause significant harm by spreading false news, producing manipulative content, and misleading the public.

The asymmetric threat facing Israel requires not only defense but also proactive intervention methods. While the presence of individuals and organizations like Nohara who contribute to our community is encouraging, such support must not be left to chance. It needs to be bolstered through systematic policies. Combating social media manipulation is an inseparable part of Israel’s rightful defense on the international stage.