Smotrich's Religious Zionism Party Releases AI Incitement Video Against Judiciary

The Religious Zionism party released an AI-generated video on Tuesday depicting Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara being dragged by security guards. The video was distributed as part of a presentation on a judicial reform plan spearheaded by Smotrich and Constitution Committee Chairman Simcha Rothman.

Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the "Yashar" movement, condemned the video as "despicable and violent," calling Smotrich a supporter of draft evasion and refusal. Eisenkot criticized the timing, occurring during the Ten Days of Repentance leading up to Yom Kippur, and stated, "They have learned nothing from October 7th." He warned that in their "political distress," they are willing to drag Israeli society into an abyss again, vowing to prevent it and send them "home soon."

Smotrich and Rothman's reform plan focuses on abolishing the reasonableness test, changing the judicial selection process, advancing the override clause, and removing the Police Internal Investigations Department from the State Attorney's Office. Key proposals include splitting the Attorney General's role into a government appointee and an independent prosecutor, making legal advisors in ministries political appointments, and establishing a mechanism to investigate prosecutors. For the Supreme Court, they propose public hearings for judicial candidates, secret voting by all Israeli judges to select the president and deputy, and random assignment of case panels.

Smotrich stated, "We are at a fateful crossroads for the State of Israel." He emphasized that upcoming appointments of Supreme Court justices, the Attorney General, and the State Prosecutor will shape Israel for years to come. He asserted that upon the formation of the next government, his party will demand the implementation of their plan to "change the rules of the game," enabling the government to govern, the Knesset to legislate, and the judiciary to operate within its defined powers. He claimed Religious Zionism is the only party that has already enacted judicial reforms and is determined to complete the plan.

Additional proposals include regulating constitutional review, the override clause, restoring standing limitations, and establishing clear procedures for the High Court of Justice. To enhance governmental authority, they suggest abolishing appointment committees, expanding ministerial powers in senior appointments, and opening senior prosecution roles to external tenders. Regarding individual rights and criminal procedure, the plan proposes limiting investigation and prosecution duration, removing the state's ability to appeal acquittals, and eliminating the offense of breach of trust. Measures to increase transparency include expanding the broadcasting and recording of proceedings and strengthening oversight of the prosecution and judiciary. To bolster the Knesset, they propose lowering the electoral threshold, expanding surplus vote agreements, using semi-open ballots for candidate ranking, altering Knesset member immunity, and postponing criminal proceedings for certain offenses against prime ministers and ministers until after their terms.

Simcha Rothman described the plan as "a foundational plan to return Israeli democracy to its course," arguing that citizens desire governance, security, and true rule of law, which he claims cannot be achieved if decisions are made by an unelected "deep state" of officials and judges. He stated their plan will ensure the return of sovereignty to the people and reform the justice system to provide true justice.