Likud Admits Role in Spreading Smear Campaign Against Liberman

A representative of the Likud party has admitted to the Central Elections Committee that the party was involved in sending SMS messages that directed recipients to an anonymous website critical of Avigdor Liberman and his family. The admission came after the Likud initially denied any connection to the messages.

The party's representative stated in a document submitted to the committee, "As far as I know, the party has no relation to the internet site in question. But regarding the SMS messages, I conducted an additional check with the relevant party officials, and according to the information I received and contrary to what I stated yesterday, the distribution of the SMS message that is the subject of this request did indeed take place."

The Yisrael Beiteinu (NDI) party, which filed a complaint with the Central Elections Committee, stated that their investigation with the SMS distribution company had already indicated Likud's involvement. NDI claims Likud's tactic is to first anonymously spread slander, deny it, and then retract their denial once facts emerge.

NDI launched its own investigation on October 20th into the anonymous campaign targeting Liberman and his relatives. The campaign involved SMS messages sent to Russian-speaking Israelis, linking to an anonymous website labeled a "special project." This site contained political and personal information about Liberman, his wife, and children, explicitly stating its connection to the upcoming Knesset elections on October 27, 2026.

NDI suspected Likud's involvement from October 20th, a suspicion reportedly supported by the SMS company's records. NDI's lawyers filed complaints with the Central Elections Committee and the police, accusing Likud of intentionally spreading defamation against a political opponent. The Central Elections Committee has also launched a special section on its website addressing fake news and how to report it, particularly in light of AI-generated content.