Extremist groups are using AI to exacerbate anti-Semitism by exploiting the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Hate groups have cleverly exploited AI to bolster their support for Hamas, increasing anti-Semitism in the US. These groups, including far-right trolls, have used Israel-Hamas tensions as a catalyst for their propaganda. Ben Decker, CEO of Memetica, highlighted the disturbing convergence between online extremists and Hamas supporters. Their goal: to use AI to target and harass the Jewish community.
Alarming rise in anti-Semitism in the US since Hamas attack
Law enforcement agencies keep watch 316% rise in anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. since the Hamas attack. Data from the Anti-Defamation League reveals this increase over last year. Shortly after the Israel-Hamas war, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security warned of threats to the Jewish, Muslim and Arab-American communities. These agencies indicate that anti-Semitism and anti-Islamism fuel violent extremism.
The directors of FBI and the DHS will discuss domestic extremism on Capitol Hill. A bulletin reveals that DHS is monitoring hate groups celebrating attacks on Jews. In addition, AI plays a role in online hate. On 4chan, the Hamas attack was celebrated, showing a convergence between white supremacists and pro-Hamas.
Karen Dunn, a lawyer, points out that anti-Semitism unites various hate groups. She recalls Charlottesville, marked by anti-Semitic and racist slogans. Decker refers to the use of social networks by Hamas to spread its message, despite bans. On Telegram, Hamas’ audience increased after the attacks.
Decker mentions that 4chan users share anti-Semitic images created via AI. Microsoft Bing and other AI platforms have preventive measures in place, but workarounds exist. Decker points out that these policies are easily circumvented. Microsoft is committed to creating reliable AI technologies that prohibit the creation of harmful content.
Fake AI voice promotes anti-Semitism in the U.S.
On October 25, a fake voice claiming to be Jon Greenblatt of the ADL contacted a city council in Calabasas, California. The voice, bearing an uncanny resemblance to the real Greenblatt, promoted the anti-Semitic group Goyim Defence League (GDL), revealing its subterfuge. Created by AI software, the imitation was touted by GDL leader Jon Minadeo during a video stream.
Subsequently, the AI call was followed by other anti-Semitic interventions, including one using an offensive pseudonym. In response, Mayor David Shapiro strongly condemned these acts. City councils across the U.S. are experiencing anti-Semitic calls, even disrupting events such as Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
In addition, an ADL spokesperson pointed out that the misuse of AI to defame is on the rise. A CNN investigation found that GDL associates manipulate voice recordings on social networkstargeting public figures, including politicians and journalists.
Increase in anti-Semitism and other hatreds
Although hate groups use high technology, they also employ anti-Semitic leaflets, a traditional but effective method. The GDL has distributed leaflets stereotyping Jews in several US states. According to ADL’s Carla Hill, she counted more than 284 cases this year.
Recently, the GDL distributed these messages near the CNN Center in Atlanta. GDL leader Jon Minadeo was convicted in Florida of distributing hate leaflets. The law did not protect littering, which resulted in prosecution for this offence.
After the October 7th attack on Israelsome hate groups are seeking to ally themselves with the pro-Palestinian movement to spread anti-Semitism. Indeed, the National Justice Party, associated with Unite the Right, has publicly supported Hamas in front of the White House. Meanwhile, in Missoula, pro-Palestinian demonstrators clashed with white supremacists.
Anti-Semitism is not the only hatred on the rise in the United States. The Department of Homeland Security notes that American extremists are using violence abroad as a pretext to target Muslims in the United States. One bulletin mentions threatening calls to mosques and an Islamic school in Arizonaas well as an increase in reports of people wrongly suspected of terrorism because of their race, religion or origin.