Meta, the platform for Israeli cybercrimes

According to Middle East Eye, a US-based advocacy group called Eko found 98 Facebook advertisements aimed at the US and Europe that sought money for Israeli army gear, such as sophisticated thermal drones, assault rifle sights, armor, night vision goggles, and helmets.

"The most concerning issue with these fundraising appeals is their focus on drones potentially used in the ongoing violence in Gaza and Lebanon," the report by Eko stated. "Many of the drones… are reportedly modified by the Israeli army to carry explosives."

In one advertisement, a soldier named Kobi—a "lead machine gunner" for the 551 Commando Brigade—was seen pleading for night vision goggles in front of a mosque that had been destroyed.

Another advertisement from the Miami-based non-profit Tsedaka Centre showed an Israeli captain pleading for money. The advertisement directs viewers to the Chesed Fund, which runs a campaign to buy advanced drones, assault rifle lasers, tactical helmets, vests, and armor plates.

In its report, Eko pointed out that these ads might be against US and EU non-profit regulations and could have an impact on charities' tax-deductible donations if the money is used for military purposes.

Eko campaigner Maen Hammad claimed that since Israel began its war on Gaza after October 2023, Meta has evolved into the voice of the "Israeli far-right."

"Meta has become the megaphone for the Israeli far-right, amplifying their calls and profiting from their ads which push their extremist and genocidal policies," Hammad stated to Middle East Eye.

Even worse, the platform serves as a gathering place for organizations looking to raise money for military gear utilized by IDF units involved in war crimes. This is yet another instance of Meta's profit-driven disregard for human rights; it is by no means an oversight.

The campaigning group also identified a series of Hebrew language adverts targeting users in Israel paid for by Israeli members of parliament.

These advertisements urged the Israeli army to attack Palestinians using the "dahiya" doctrine, which calls for the widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure. Ads from Israeli lawmakers were directed at Israeli audiences, according to data from Meta, the company that owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.