Israeli Party Claims 'Vile Campaign' Amidst Election Pressure
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
Lali Darai of the "Am Israel" party denounced a "vile campaign" of harassment and pressure aimed at forcing her party out of the Knesset elections. The party claims to be facing constant calls, online abuse, and signage in their communities, with one member, Davidi Ben Zion, resigning due to the pressure. Prime Minister Netanyahu and Minister Smotrich have praised Ben Zion's resignation, linking it to the success of the right-wing bloc.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Lali Darai of "Am Israel" party decries "vile campaign" of harassment to force election withdrawal.
- Party members report constant calls, online abuse, and signage targeting them.
- Davidi Ben Zion resigned as Deputy Head of Samaria Council citing pressure.
- Signs were posted outside Ben Zion's home urging him to quit.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu welcomed Ben Zion's resignation for the "right-wing bloc's victory."
- Minister Bezalel Smotrich called the resignation a "brave step of national responsibility."
Lali Darai, a representative of the "Am Israel" party, has condemned what she described as a "vile campaign" targeting her party to withdraw from the Knesset race. Speaking on Kan News, Darai stated that the party is receiving constant phone calls, hateful online comments, and has had signs posted in their communities, even near children's bus stops, simply for offering new ideas. She asserted that the party, which formed after the October 7th attacks, aims to change political discourse and is being met with AI-generated signs and demands to withdraw instead of engagement with their plans.
Darai pointed to online reactions to Minister Smotrich's statements about party withdrawals, suggesting they reveal a lack of ethical political conduct. She recounted an incident where a rabbi from her community, after seeing signs near a synagogue, had them removed by residents, emphasizing that "way of life precedes Torah and precedes politics." Darai stated she does not know who is behind the campaign, calling them "not brave enough" to confront her directly on her party's actual plans.
Her comments follow the resignation of Davidi Ben Zion, Deputy Head of the Samaria Council and a member of "Am Israel," who cited pressure as the reason for his departure. Signs were reportedly posted outside his home urging him to quit, amidst a reported decline in the party's poll numbers. Ben Zion expressed distress over the situation, stating his "entire settlement is full" of the issue and that his "wife is broken by it."
The "Am Israel" party issued a statement expressing sorrow over the "improper pressures, threats, and harassment" directed at Ben Zion and his family, attributing it to elements unwilling to accept new forces in Israeli politics. Yosef Haddad, the party's second-in-command, further criticized a "dirty campaign" funded with vast budgets aimed at crushing them, originating from within their own political bloc.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Ben Zion's decision, framing it as crucial for the "right-wing bloc's victory" and urging other party members to follow suit. Minister Bezalel Smotrich also praised the move as a "brave step of national responsibility."
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