Minister Idith Silman Distances Herself from Bennett, Targets Legal Establishment Ahead of Likud Primaries

Minister of Environmental Protection Idith Silman is intensifying her social media campaign as she faces a tougher battle in the upcoming Likud primaries compared to previous elections. Unlike last time, when she was granted a protected spot after helping topple the Bennett-Lapid government where she served as coalition chair, Silman now seeks to erase her association with that government and prove her right-wing credentials. Her posts harshly criticize the Israeli legal system, particularly Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and Supreme Court President Isaac Amit, whom she accuses of undermining democracy and acting against the elected government.

Silman frequently attacks political rivals, including former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, distancing herself from the man who brought her into politics. She uses AI-generated videos and public appearances to portray herself aligned with Netanyahu and opposed to the "leftist" government she helped bring down. She also invokes the Iranian threat and accuses the left of serving enemy propaganda, while paradoxically claiming to be a unifying emissary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

Her social media activity reveals a strategic focus on rallying right-wing voters by emphasizing judicial reform and opposition to the current legal establishment. Over the past year, she posted 22 times about the Attorney General and 18 times about Supreme Court President Amit, often calling for investigations and sanctions against them. Silman also dedicates significant attention to Netanyahu’s trial, demanding a pardon and framing the legal proceedings as politically motivated attacks on the right.

Silman maintains close ties with settler communities and Chabad activists, frequently visiting settlements and promoting funding for regional projects. She also cultivates relationships with Likud local leaders, often posting photos with mayors and council heads. However, her environmental portfolio receives less attention; her main achievement is legislation on construction waste management, though she has been criticized for failing to secure implementation budgets and for downplaying major pollution sources.

Despite her efforts, Silman’s posts receive limited engagement and often hostile responses from her target audience. Her office did not respond to requests for comment. As the Likud primaries approach, Silman’s aggressive online campaign reflects her urgent attempt to solidify her political standing by attacking the judiciary and distancing herself from her past coalition leadership under Bennett.