![Zack Polanski: “There are definitely examples of where the Israeli government [has] used false flags.”. Our verdict: True.](https://measuredtake.com/assets/cards/fact-checks/fc-e2576a50a492-wide-2cd0a7b596012028.jpg)
The claim
“There are definitely examples of where the Israeli government [has] used false flags.”
Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party, said this on his podcast Bold Politics, as reported by GB News on 4 October 2026.
Our verdict
True
There is at least one well-documented example: the 1954 Lavon Affair, in which Israeli military intelligence ran a bombing campaign in Egypt designed to be blamed on others. The example Polanski himself gave, the Hannibal Directive, is not a false-flag operation.
What we found
We found multiple independent sources confirming that Israel’s military intelligence orchestrated a bombing campaign in Egypt in 1954 that was intended to be blamed on others. Academic research and official Israeli archives describe this as a false‑flag operation. In addition, two media outlets recorded Zack Polanski stating on his podcast that Israel has used such tactics. The evidence confirms at least one historical instance, though it does not prove a current or systematic policy.
Sources include a Stanford‑based study of the Lavon Affair, an Israeli inquiry committee publication, and the Israeli Ministry of Defence archives. Media reports from GB News and Newscord verify Polanski’s statement.
The evidence
4 of 7 sources support the claim; none contradict it.
- Background
Zack Polanski said the Israeli military has staged false‑flag attacks on his podcast.
GB News· Zack Polanski accuses Israeli military of staging 'false flag' attacks - Background
The same allegation by Polanski is recorded in a Newscord watchdog article.
newscord.org· Zack Polanski accuses Israeli military of staging 'false flag' attacks | Framing AnalysisOctober 4, 2026
- Supports the claim
The 1954 Lavon Affair is documented as an Israeli false‑flag operation by academic researchers.
cisac.fsi.stanford.edu· The Lavon Affair: How a false-flag operation led to war and the Israeli bombJuly 1, 2013
- Supports the claim
Israeli intelligence orchestrated a false‑flag bombing campaign in Egypt in 1954.
icgs.org.il· From Olshan-Dori to Today – The Evolution of the Inquiry Committee - Supports the claim
The Israeli Ministry of Defence archives describe the Lavon affair as a false‑flag bombing operation.
archives.mod.gov.il· The "Unfortunate" or the Lavon affair - Supports the claim
U.S. State Department documents note Israeli officials providing misleading information about a covert operation, consistent with false‑flag tactics.
2001-2009.state.gov· Documents 1-23 - Background
GB News reports that Polanski referred to the Hannibal Directive, a rule meant to prevent the capture of Israeli soldiers that was revoked in 2016; that is not a false-flag tactic. He also warned against seeing false flags where there is no evidence.
gbnews.com· Zack Polanski accuses Israeli military of staging 'false flag' attacksOctober 4, 2026
What we could not confirm
- Whether the Israeli government continues to employ false‑flag tactics in the present day.
How we checked
We examined archival records, academic publications, government documents and contemporary media reports to verify both the historical operation and Polanski’s statement. We reviewed 7 relevant sources.
Have evidence we missed?
If you know of a source that confirms or contradicts this claim, send us the link. We review every submission and update fact checks when new evidence changes the picture.
Measured Take updates fact checks when new evidence emerges. Corrections are noted on the page.
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