Likud Demands 10-Minute Delay for Opposition Broadcasts Ahead of Election

Three days before the Israeli elections, the Likud party, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, has demanded that Israeli television channels delay live broadcasts of opposition leaders' speeches by at least ten minutes. The demand, made in a letter sent by Likud attorney Ilan Bombach to various broadcasters and legal advisors, cites concerns about prohibited election campaigning during a large rally organized by the "October 7th Families Forum" scheduled for Saturday evening in Tel Aviv. The rally, intended to draw attention to the demand for a state commission of inquiry into the failures of October 7th, is expected to feature opposition leaders including Yair Lapid, Naftali Bennett, Gadi Eisenkot, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yair Golan.

Likud argues that the rally's slogan, "Three more days, and we elect a state commission of inquiry," coupled with political messages from opposition figures, could turn the broadcast into a platform for one-sided political propaganda. The party is not seeking to ban coverage but insists on a ten-minute delay to allow editors to review content for compliance with election laws. This request echoes a 2019 decision by the former Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Hanan Melzer, who mandated a similar delay for Likud's own party congress broadcast following a request from the Labor party.

The "October 7th Families Forum" has strongly condemned Likud's demand, accusing Netanyahu of attempting to silence the families of victims and survivors. They argue that their call for accountability and answers regarding the events of October 7th, three years prior, is not electioneering but a fundamental demand for truth. The forum stated that Netanyahu has refused to meet with them and provide answers, and that his attempts to suppress their voices demonstrate a fear of the truth. They expressed confidence that the rally would show that truth prevails over attempts to conceal it and urged citizens to attend and support their call for a state commission of inquiry.

This demand from Likud follows a similar directive from the government's legal advisor just a day earlier, which advised against broadcasting Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech at a military ceremony due to concerns about potential electioneering. The "October 7th Families Forum" is proceeding with preparations for the rally, inviting media to cover the event and highlighting the participation of families directly affected by the October 7th attacks.