Smotrich's AI Video Depicting Judges Dragged Sparks Outrage

Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the "Tzionut Datit" party, has launched his election campaign with a controversial AI-generated video. The clip, posted on Smotrich's Telegram channel, depicts individuals in yellow vests dragging Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, and Supreme Court Justice Daphne Barak-Erez during a protest dispersal. The video concludes with Amit walking alone down a street holding a sign that reads "No to Smotrich."

The video illustrates Smotrich's judicial reform program, titled "Removing Barriers." Smotrich and Knesset Legislation Committee Chairman Simcha Rothman have stated that implementing this program is a condition for their party joining a future coalition government. Key proposals include separating the Attorney General's role into a politically appointed advisor and an independent prosecutor, public hearings for Supreme Court nominees, secret ballot elections for the court's president by all judges, and random assignment of judicial panels.

The program also aims to pass legislation overriding Supreme Court vetoes and proposes lowering the electoral threshold for parties. The video has drawn sharp criticism from opposition figures. Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the "Yashar" party, called the video "disgusting and cruel," while Yair Golan of "Democratim" labeled it dangerous incitement. MK Gilad Kariv accused Smotrich and Rothman of using imagery associated with authoritarian regimes.