Israel's Most Memorable Election Broadcasts: From Comedians to Controversies

Election broadcasts, a once-central fixture of Israeli political campaigns, continue to air late at night, though their relevance has waned in the digital age. Historically, these broadcasts were prime-time events, drawing top Israeli stars and featuring catchy jingles that became part of the national conversation. The article revisits some of the most unforgettable election ads from past decades, highlighting their creative, humorous, and sometimes controversial approaches.

In the 1980s, major parties enlisted prominent comedians. The Likud featured Spi Rivlin, while the Alignment (later Labor) used the popular comedy trio "HaGashash HaHiver." A memorable Alignment ad from 1984 included the phrase "Toh-eh, T'ut, T'e'e'nu" (Mistake, Mistake, We Erred), signifying a change of heart by Shaike Levi. The 1990s saw continued celebrity endorsements, with singers Zehavah Ben and Dana Berger appearing in a Meretz ad in 1996. Ben later expressed regret, stating she didn't understand the political nature of the appearance at the time. Shas, in 1996, recruited football stars like Avi Nimni, Ronen Harazi, and Alon Hazan, with Nimni wishing Shas success in the elections.

The late 1990s and early 2000s brought more experimental ads. The "Ale Yarok" (Green Leaf) party, advocating for cannabis legalization, released a psychedelic trance-themed ad in 1999 featuring an animated version of the national anthem, "Hatikvah." The "Yisrael B'Aliyah" party, led by Natan Sharansky, used the memorable slogan "Nash Kontrol!" (Our Control!) in 1999, which was later echoed by Avigdor Lieberman and Arieh Deri. Hadash's 1992 ad effectively conveyed its anti-militarism message through a young man burdened by weapons, repeating "Kalil, Kalil, Kalil" (Light, Light, Light).

Catchy jingles remained a staple for larger parties, such as Labor's "Yisrael Mechaka LeRabin" (Israel Awaits Rabin) in 1992 and the Likud's "Netanyahu - Making Sure Peace" in 1996. The National Religious Party (Mafdal) was particularly known for its memorable jingles across multiple elections, including "Bli Aval, Bli Aval, Bo Habaita LaMafdal" (No But, No But, Come Home to Mafdal) in 1984 and "Mafdal L'Yaminecha" (Mafdal to Your Right) in 1992.

Smaller parties also made their mark. The "Natural Law Party" in 1992 promoted transcendental meditation for world peace. The "Yemenite Association" in 1988 featured a passionate plea from its leader about injustices against the Yemenite community. Shmuel Flatto Sharon's "Development and Peace" party in 1981 used the slogan "What did you do for the country?"

Controversial ads also drew significant attention. In 2013, the "Economics Party" featured a model stripping down to her underwear to protest the state "stripping us." Another ad showed the model suggestively licking an ice cream cone. The Central Elections Committee chairman deemed the ads in poor taste but did not disqualify them. Shas also faced criticism for a 2013 ad perceived as racist, depicting a wedding between a woman from a former Soviet republic and a Mizrahi groom, with a fax machine symbolizing a quick conversion process. The ad was eventually withdrawn. Other ads that faced legal challenges included one by the far-right "Herut" party in 2003, which altered the national anthem and flag, and a 2006 ad by the Shinui party that was criticized for allegedly demeaning Haredi Jews. However, courts sometimes upheld freedom of expression, as seen in cases involving Balad and Otzma LeYisrael in 2013.