Emails Reveal Israeli Government’s Links to Center for Countering Digital Hate

What happens when self-proclaimed online safety and 'anti-hate' watchdogs like CCDH operate as shadowy arms of state influence?

Quick Summary:

• Exposé Details: Leaked emails reveal Israeli officials collaborating with CCDH on narrative control and black operations.

• Free Speech Threats: Raises concerns about using hate speech labels to silence political dissent.

• Global Network: CCDH’s dark money ties and broader connections to NATO-linked psyops and other actors.

In a recent exposé published by The Grayzone, a series of emails has surfaced revealing a collaborative relationship between the Israeli government and the controversial Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH). These communications suggest a coordinated effort to influence narratives on digital platforms and counter dissenting voices.

The Nature of the Relationship

The emails, leaked by a CCDH insider, detail exchanges between Israeli officials and CCDH representatives. These interactions outline shared goals of monitoring and mitigating content deemed “anti-Semitic” or critical of Israeli policies. Furthermore, they reveal a 'pay-to-play' dynamic where CCDH’s influence operations are leveraged by state actors under the guise of plausible deniability.[1] This black operation model echoes other CCDH engagements, such as its partnership with Prince Harry’s Archewell Foundation, which raises additional questions about the organization’s funding and accountability.[2]

Adding to the context, several of CCDH's funders have connections to anti-Semitism-related philanthropies or Israeli-linked initiatives, such as the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Esmee Fairbairn Foundation. These organizations have supported projects combating anti-Semitism, making them logical partners for CCDH's broader mission. However, their involvement also underscores why CCDH’s anti-hate playbook might align closely with Israeli state interests and reflects how these efforts can be utilized to conflate political dissent with hate speech.

CCDH’s Rising Influence

The CCDH has gained prominence in recent years, branding itself as a watchdog that combats online hate and disinformation. However, critics argue that the organization’s activities often blur the line between addressing legitimate hate speech and suppressing politically inconvenient viewpoints. The disclosed emails add weight to these criticisms, suggesting that the CCDH may be acting as an unofficial arm of governmental propaganda efforts.

Implications for Free Speech

One of the most concerning aspects of this revelation is its potential impact on free speech. Digital platforms are already under scrutiny for their role in moderating content, with many accusing them of biased enforcement policies. The involvement of state actors in shaping these policies through intermediaries like the CCDH exacerbates these concerns. By framing political dissent as “hate speech,” such collaborations risk undermining legitimate critique and public discourse.

Broader Context

This development fits into a broader pattern of governments leveraging private organizations to influence digital spaces. By outsourcing this work, states can distance themselves from direct accusations of censorship while still achieving their objectives. Leaked documents suggest that CCDH’s 'black ops' campaigns, including targeting figures like RFK Jr., Sayer Ji, and others, are conducted on behalf of powerful global actors, including NATO-linked operations.[3] Dark money funders and strategic partners like the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) and Newsguard further illuminate a network aimed at controlling narratives under the pretext of combating disinformation and hate speech.[4]

Additionally, CCDH has been at the center of a global push to criminalize free speech and control narratives under the guise of combating hate speech. The "Kill Musk’s Twitter" directive exemplifies this effort, where CCDH and its funders sought to undermine Elon Musk’s ownership of Twitter to stifle dissenting voices on the platform. This broader campaign highlights a systematic effort to centralize control over digital discourse, effectively turning private watchdogs into tools of censorship aligned with state and corporate interests.[5]

The case of the CCDH and the Israeli government is a stark reminder of how the lines between public and private influence are increasingly blurred in the digital age

Reactions and Responses

The publication of these emails has been both validating and deeply troubling for me personally. My platform, GreenMedInfo, has been systematically attacked by CCDH's operations, making me acutely aware of the tangible human and professional costs of such campaigns. These revelations confirm suspicions I’ve held for years: CCDH’s efforts go far beyond combating hate speech—they serve as a weapon to silence dissenting voices like mine and suppress independent thought. And, they have the full force of nation states and their intelligence and even military and paramilitary assets behind them to conduct their black operations.

Free speech advocates and civil rights organizations have joined the call for a thorough investigation into CCDH’s methods, funding sources, and role as a tool for state and corporate interests. The question now is whether CCDH’s activities violate international law or domestic statutes, such as those protecting against defamation and unlawful surveillance. This fight is not just about my personal experiences; it’s about the broader principle of protecting the free flow of information from covert, malicious actors.

Meanwhile, CCDH and its supporters attempt to justify their actions as necessary measures to combat extremism. But this framing only serves to sidestep their misconduct and deflect the growing demands for transparency and accountability.

Conclusion

The CCDH’s ties to the Israeli government and its broader network of dark money funders reveal a troubling reality: influence operations are actively undermining free expression and democratic values. For me and others who have been targeted, this is not just an abstract battle over principles. It’s a deeply personal struggle with real consequences for our livelihoods, reputations, and ability to speak freely.

The willingness of CCDH to operate in legal and ethical gray areas—or outright engage in black operations—raises urgent questions about its accountability. These revelations must serve as a wake-up call for policymakers, civil rights groups, and the public. We cannot allow organizations like CCDH to continue exploiting the guise of combating hate speech to suppress dissent. Now is the time to dismantle these dangerous structures and demand justice, transparency, and accountability in the digital age.

Footnotes

1. Prince Harry and CCDH via Archewell Foundation

2. CCDH CEO Imran Ahmed's Black Ops Memo

3. NATO's Operation Against Sayer Ji

4. Global Elite Targeting via ISD/Newsguard/CCDH

5. Kill Musk's Twitter Directive