Religious Zionism Party Releases AI-Generated Video Depicting Top Judges in Mockery

The Religious Zionism party released an AI-generated video on Tuesday, September 15, depicting Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit and Legal Advisor Gali Baharav-Miara being dragged through burning streets by police. The two senior officials are portrayed as protest participants holding signs against party leader Bezalel Smotrich. The video, part of the party's election campaign, has drawn sharp condemnation from various politicians. Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Yishai party, called the video "shameful and cruel," attributing it to Smotrich, whom he accused of tarnishing the name of the religious Zionist sector. Yair Golan, head of the Democrats party, labeled the video "incitement" and an attempt to provoke violence, stating that those who depict judges and the government's legal advisor as enemies understand the implications of their actions.

Bezalel Smotrich and Simcha Rothman presented their party's program for judicial reform on September 15, which aims to continue the controversial legal system overhaul that sparked public debate in the previous Knesset session. The program includes electing the Supreme Court president through a secret ballot of judges and separating the roles of the government's legal advisor. Smotrich declared the judicial system the central issue of the upcoming elections, emphasizing that voters' freedom is at stake and calling Supreme Court President Amit "a cruel person" who disregards the will of the people.

Rothman described the program as "Law and Order 2," noting that some aspects have already been implemented. He argued that the judiciary operates as a "deep state" with its own enforcement mechanisms, hindering the public's ability to reform the system. Rothman, who previously led the Knesset's Law and Justice Committee, has already advanced legislation weakening the legal advisor's authority, making their opinions non-binding for the government. The new proposals aim to further separate the legal advisor's roles and increase the influence of political figures on judicial appointments.

The program also proposes that all Israeli judges, including district and magistrate judges, would elect the Supreme Court president and deputy president via secret ballot, a departure from the current commission-based system. Changes to the composition of the judicial appointments committee are pending the Knesset's post-election session. Additionally, the plan includes provisions for the rights of suspects, such as abolishing vague offenses like breach of trust, eliminating the state's ability to appeal acquittals in criminal cases, and limiting investigation and prosecution timelines. The Religious Zionism platform also suggests lowering the electoral threshold for Knesset entry and granting full immunity to Knesset members, along with a "French law" for prime ministers and ministers, delaying criminal proceedings until the end of their term.