Senior Minister Slams Smotrich's Judicial Violence Video as 'Unfit'

A senior Israeli government minister has sharply criticized a propaganda video released by the Religious Zionism party, which depicted violence against figures in the judicial system. Speaking to Kan News, the minister stated, "This is an unfit video. Criticism can be presented objectively, not through disgraceful dragging." The video, created using artificial intelligence, shows animated figures of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit, and Supreme Court Justice Daphne Barak-Erez being dragged by men wearing vests at protests against the judicial overhaul.

Despite a request to open an investigation, legal sources believe no inquiry into incitement will occur, deeming the video problematic but not warranting a criminal investigation. During a swearing-in ceremony for judges, President Isaac Herzog implicitly criticized the video, remarking, "Elections are not a civil war, not even in AI videos."

Bezalel Smotrich, the leader of Religious Zionism, is expected to respond to the criticism at a political event in Ramat HaSharon. He plans to argue that the shock should be directed not at the video, which he claims illustrates the removal of road blockades by judicial officials, but at those who allegedly attempted to block the heads of the Shin Bet and Mossad during the previous term.

Meanwhile, the Movement for Quality of Government has demanded a criminal investigation into the video on suspicion of inciting violence. The article also briefly mentions unrelated news about a potential hostage release offer at the start of the war and a 0.2% rise in housing prices.