Israel Election Chief Orders Minister Ben-Gvir to Edit Video
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Israel's Central Elections Committee Chairman, Judge Noam Sohlberg, ordered Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to edit a video featuring security guards wearing "Police" caps. The judge ruled this violated election law by using public property for propaganda. Ben-Gvir claimed the caps were for identification, but Sohlberg found they could imply regular police presence and boost the minister's image. Ben-Gvir must edit or remove the video and pay legal costs.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Judge Noam Sohlberg ordered Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to edit a video for using "Police" caps in election propaganda.
- The use of public property, like police insignia, in election campaigns is prohibited by Israeli law.
- Ben-Gvir's security guards wore "Police" caps, which the judge ruled could mislead the public.
- The judge stated the caps could harm the non-political image of public service.
- Ben-Gvir must edit or remove the video and pay NIS 6,000 in costs.
The Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, has ordered Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to edit a video he published concerning the demolition of illegal structures. The video featured security guards accompanying the minister wearing caps that read "Police." The use of public property, such as police insignia, in election propaganda is prohibited by law. The Movement for Quality of Government in Israel argued that the appearance of individuals wearing police caps, among other aspects of the video, violated this section of the Election Law.
Minister Ben-Gvir contended that the individuals were part of the VIP security unit and wore the "police" caps solely for identification as security personnel. However, Judge Sohlberg ruled that even if the VIP security unit could be shown in civilian attire, this case was different. The judge stated that the police caps could lead viewers to believe they were regular police officers, potentially harming the non-political image of public service and enhancing the minister's image of power, which constitutes election propaganda.
As a result, Minister Ben-Gvir was instructed to edit the video by removing segments that violated the law or blurring the figures involved in the violation, or alternatively, to remove the video entirely. Due to some ambiguity in the matter, the minister was ordered to pay costs: NIS 2,500 to the petitioner and NIS 3,500 to the State Treasury.
