Foreign Influencers Push False Flag Conspiracy Theories Following Bondi Hanukkah Terror Attack
Foreign accounts from Iran, Saudi Arabia, UK, Norway, and Canada drove false flag conspiracy theories in 163,000 posts reaching 3.3 billion potential audience following the terror attack
In the immediate aftermath of the Bondi Hanukkah terror attack that claimed 16 lives, including Holocaust survivor Alexander Kleytman, rabbi Eli Schlanger, and a 10-year-old girl, over 163,000 social media posts propagated false flag conspiracy theories on X.
Among those hospitalized was human rights lawyer Arsen Ostrovsky, who became the target of AI-generated disinformation when foreign influencers circulated a fabricated image purporting to show a makeup artist applying fake blood to his face.
The coordinated disinformation campaign generated 1.1 million interactions and reached a potential audience of 3.3 billion users, according to social media analysis data from December 14. Among posts containing “false flag” or “#FalseFlag,” 15.3% also referenced Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, suggesting deliberate attempts to implicate Israeli authorities in staging the attack on Jewish worshippers.
International Network Drives Disinformation Campaign
A social media analysis by Jewish Onliner identified a clear foreign fingerprint in the conspiracy theory’s spread, with top influencers operating from the United Kingdom, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and even Norway, leading the narrative amplification.
Key foreign-based accounts include UK-based AdameMedia—previously identified by the Network Contagion Research Institute as a foreign-linked disinformation agent whose posting volume surged 150% after October 7, 2023—along with Iran-based Hassan Mafi, Norway-based antisemitic account Jeff Epstein (JeffreyxEpstein), and Saudi Arabia-based Muslim Cowboy.
American-based extremist influencers Jake Shields and Sneako, both known for promoting antisemitic content, also amplified the false flag narratives, demonstrating potential coordination between foreign accounts and domestic extremist voices.
As Jewish Onliner previously reported, AdameMedia and Jake Shields were among the top promoters of conspiracy theories falsely linking Israel to Charlie Kirk’s death.
Israel Targeted in Coordinated Campaign
The coordinated messaging campaign specifically targeted Israel, with the nation mentioned in 23% of posts containing false flag claims. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was referenced in 11% of posts, while “Palestine” or “Palestinian” appeared in 9.7% of false flag-related content, representing a calculated effort to deflect from antisemitic violence.
Posts containing accusations of “genocide” comprised 2.9% of the analyzed content, with users frequently deploying comparative suffering arguments designed to dismiss the significance of the attack. A recurring theme questioned why people expressed sadness about the Bondi shooting while allegedly not voicing concerns about Gaza. Additionally, 12% of posts referenced Candace Owens.
When Jews are attacked while celebrating religious holidays—resulting in 16 deaths including children and elderly Holocaust survivors—foreign actors immediately mobilize to blame the victims and deny the reality of antisemitic terror. The documented reach of 3.3 billion potential audience demonstrates the scale at which foreign actors can manipulate public discourse around terror attacks affecting Jewish communities worldwide.
Who Benefits From the Disinformation Campaign?
Security experts point to Iran as a primary suspect in the coordinated false flag disinformation operation. Microsoft’s Digital Defense Report 2024 documented how “following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, Iran surged its cyber, influence, and cyber-enabled influence operations against Israel.” The Islamic Republic has been identified by multiple intelligence agencies and technology companies as operating sophisticated networks of inauthentic accounts to delegitimize Israel globally. Relatedly, Australia designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization just a few weeks ago on November 27, reflecting growing concerns about Iranian threats and malign influence in the country.
Analysts also identify Qatar and Russia as likely beneficiaries, given Qatar’s support for Islamist terror groups and Russia’s interest in sowing discord in Western societies. Moreover, experts note the campaign serves to normalize violence against Jews by reframing attacks as staged events, creating an environment where atrocities are reflexively doubted rather than condemned.
When that’s all you have (false flag) you are showing you have nothing