France suspects Israeli firm of disrupting elections in several countries
Photo: voting in the 2024 US elections (Getty Images)
France's anti-disinformation agency Viginum has found that Israeli firm BlackCore is suspected of interfering not only in elections in France, but also in New York and Scotland, according to Reuters.
What Viginum found
At a press conference in Paris, Viginum head Marc-Antoine Brillant said that BlackCore is suspected of conducting digital interference operations in several countries, including Angola, Togo, Scotland, and the 2025 municipal elections in New York.
Earlier, Reuters reported that French authorities suspect BlackCore of running a smear campaign against three candidates from the left-wing party France Unbowed during local elections in March.
It has not been established who ordered the campaign. "Our investigations did not make it possible to identify the sponsor or sponsors, if indeed they exist, behind this foreign digital interference," Brillant acknowledged.
New York and Scotland
Brillant did not name specific targets in New York. However, municipal elections were held there in 2025, won by Zohran Mamdani, a candidate known for his support of Palestine.
Viginum also identified accounts linked to BlackCore that targeted Scottish First Minister John Swinney, who has publicly criticized Israeli operations in Gaza.
Reaction from France and Israel
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said Paris has contacted Israel for explanations regarding BlackCore’s activities and requested assistance in identifying the client behind the campaign.
The Israeli Embassy in Paris confirmed receipt of the request and stated that "Israel has of course no intention to interfere in the French political process, be it at the national or municipal level."
Who BlackCore is
Before removing its online presence, the company described itself as an "elite influence, cybersecurity, and information warfare firm" providing governments and election campaigns with tools to "shape narratives." It did not respond to Reuters' requests for comment.
The BlackCore scandal comes amid worsening US-Israel security tensions. In early June, the Pentagon raised its counterintelligence threat level to the maximum due to increased Israeli surveillance of American officials.
Tensions between the two allies have been growing for some time. In late May, Trump and Netanyahu disagreed over the war with Iran, and later Axios reported that during one call Trump called the Israeli prime minister "crazy" and accused him of ingratitude.
