Digital Propaganda: How Governments Weaponize Ads on Google and Facebook

In late 2024, a disturbing discovery was made: a paid ad by the Israeli government, mimicking a UN website but linking to a page accusing UNRWA of supporting terrorists, topped Google search results for UNRWA. This highlights a troubling trend: digital advertising platforms have become battlegrounds for influence, with governments using paid ads to sway public opinion during wars and crises. The article examines how Google Ads and Facebook Ads are weaponized, focusing on Israel's extensive campaign during the 2023-2025 Gaza war, targeting UNRWA and other organizations. It explores the platforms' responses, policy gaps, and ethical dilemmas, including the lack of proactive fact-checking and inconsistent enforcement of rules against misinformation.