---
title: "Shadow over the elections: Israeli BlackCore accused of interfering in the politics of France, the US, and Scotland"
description: "The French agency Viginum has accused the Israeli firm BlackCore of interfering in elections in France, Scotland, and New York 🇺🇸🇫🇷. Suspicions involve attacks on politicians supporting Palestine and attempts to shape narratives. The scandal is unfolding against the backdrop of deteriorating relations between the US and Israel 🇮🇱📉."
date: 2026-06-12T04:52:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/shadow-over-the-elections-israeli-blackcore-accused-of-interfering-in-the-politics-of-france-the-us-and-scotland
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Shadow over the elections: Israeli BlackCore accused of interfering in the politics of France, the US, and Scotland

![Voters casting ballots in the US, illustrating the theme of interference in political processes](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/12/izrailskaia-firma-blackcore-obvinena-v-vmeshatelstve-v-vybory-frantsii-i-nyu-iorka/izrailskaia-firma-blackcore-obvinena-v-vmeshatelstve-v-vybory-frantsii-i-nyu-iorka-1.webp)

A new scandal is unfolding in the world of information security, linked to attempts to manipulate public opinion. The French anti-disinformation agency Viginum has presented data indicating that the Israeli company BlackCore is suspected of conducting digital interference operations in several countries.

According to a statement by Viginum head Marc-Antoine Briand, made at a press conference in Paris, the company's sphere of activity extends far beyond a single state. Suspicion falls on the organization in the context of elections in Angola, Togo, Scotland, as well as the municipal elections in New York scheduled for 2025.

### Goals and methods: from France to New York

Earlier, the Reuters agency reported that French authorities suspected BlackCore of organizing a "dirty campaign" against three candidates from the left-wing party "La France Insoumise" (Unbowed France) during local elections held in March. However, despite the scale of the investigation, it was not possible to identify the specific client. "Our investigations did not allow us to identify the client or clients, if they even exist," Briand admitted.

Regarding events in the US, details remain vague. Briand did not name specific targets in New York, however, the context of events in 2025 clarifies the situation: municipal elections were held there, which were won by Zohran Mamdani. The candidate is known for his open support of Palestine, which may indicate the motivation for possible attacks.

Simultaneously, Viginum recorded the activity of accounts linked to BlackCore that attacked the First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney. The politician is known for his public critical remarks regarding Israeli operations in Gaza.

### Diplomatic resonance

The scandal has reached the level of official diplomacy. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu stated that Paris has turned to Israel with a demand for explanations regarding the actions of BlackCore. The French side also requested assistance in identifying the true client of the campaign.

The Israeli Embassy in Paris confirmed the fact of the inquiry but categorically denied any intentions to interfere in the political process of France. "Israel has no intention of interfering in the French political process," the diplomatic mission emphasized.

Before removing its online presence, the company BlackCore positioned itself as an "elite firm in the field of influence, cybersecurity, and information warfare." In its descriptions, it claimed to provide government structures and election campaigns with tools for "shaping narratives." The company did not respond to requests from Reuters journalists.

### Background: tension between allies

The scandal surrounding BlackCore is taking place against the backdrop of a general deterioration of relations between the US and Israel in the security sphere. In early June, the Pentagon raised the level of counterintelligence threat to maximum, citing increased Israeli surveillance of American officials.

Tension between the two traditional allies has been growing for a long time. In the second half of May, Donald Trump and Binyamin Netanyahu demonstrated a divergence of views regarding the war with Iran. Later, the Axios publication reported that during one of the conversations, Trump called the Israeli Prime Minister "crazy" and accused him of ingratitude, which only adds drama to the current situation with digital interference.