Ex-IDF Chief Gadi Eisenkot Slams Netanyahu Over AI Video
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yisrael! party, strongly condemned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over a Likud AI video many believed referenced Eisenkot's deceased son. Eisenkot called the video's creators hateful and fearful, stating his wife was also angered and hurt by it. The Likud denied any intention to reference Gal Eisenkot, claiming the video was about potential cooperation with Arab parties.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Gadi Eisenkot condemned Benjamin Netanyahu over a Likud AI video many linked to his late son.
- Eisenkot called the video creators hateful and fearful, accusing them of perpetuating hatred.
- Eisenkot's wife was angered and hurt by the video, he stated.
- The Likud denied the video referenced Gal Eisenkot, claiming it was about Arab party cooperation.
- The Likud later released a revised video with a woman instead of the young man.
Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yisrael! party, has sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his associates over a Likud party AI video that many interpreted as referencing Eisenkot's late son, Gal, who fell in combat in Gaza. In a preview of an interview set to air Thursday on Channel 13's "Asnaim," Eisenkot expressed "deep contempt for Netanyahu and his circle," questioning their motives and accusing them of perpetuating "hatred and fear."
Eisenkot recounted that an aide showed him the video, which depicts him running towards a young man wearing a shirt reading "Unity of Israel" but then veering off to embrace Mansour Abbas, chairman of the Arab Ra'am party. Many viewers, journalists, and politicians felt the young man resembled Gal Eisenkot, drawing widespread criticism of the Likud. The Likud has denied this, stating the video's character was not intended to resemble Gal Eisenkot and that the message concerned potential cooperation with Arab parties. They later released a revised version of the video replacing the young man with a woman.
When asked if he discussed the video with his wife, Hana, Eisenkot confirmed she saw it and felt "great anger," and that it did indeed hurt her. The interview segment concluded with a direct question to Eisenkot asking if he hates Netanyahu, with his answer to be broadcast in the full interview. A senior diplomatic official later claimed Netanyahu himself had not seen the video.
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