Election Committee Orders Smotrich to Remove Photos of Children from Social Media

The Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Deputy Supreme Court President Justice Noam Solberg, has ordered Minister Bezalel Smotrich and his National Union-Tekumah party to remove social media posts featuring children under the age of 15. The ruling came in response to a petition filed by the "Bochrim BeYisrael" (Voters in Israel) organization, which argued that the posts violated election law prohibiting the use of minors in election propaganda.

The petition was prompted by a September 23, 2026, post by Smotrich celebrating the establishment of the new settlement "Metzukei Eretz" in the Benjamin region. The post included three photos of Smotrich with residents, including children with their parents, alongside sharp criticism of his political rivals. The organization, represented by attorney Ram Pardes, cited Section 2c of the Election Law (Propaganda Methods) of 1959, which forbids involving children under 15 in election campaigning.

Smotrich and his party, represented by attorney Eli Shmuelian, contended that the children were depicted in "routine activity," which is an exception under the law, and that the interpretation was too narrow, hindering the documentation of public life. However, Justice Solberg rejected these arguments, unequivocally stating that the posts constituted election propaganda. He clarified that a festive event like the inauguration of a new settlement is not routine activity, and photos with a public official are not considered routine for children.

Justice Solberg further advised Smotrich, as a Member of Knesset, to pursue legislative changes if he objects to the law, rather than complaining about the ruling. He emphasized that Section 2c has been clear and unchanged since its enactment, and those wishing to alter it should approach the Knesset. The ruling noted that this was not the first time Smotrich had faced proceedings for involving minors in propaganda. Consequently, the judge ordered the removal of the offending posts and imposed NIS 10,000 in legal costs on the respondents.