Minister Idit Silman Distances Herself From Bennett, Attacks Legal Establishment Ahead of Likud Primaries

Idit Silman, Israel's Minister of Environmental Protection, is intensifying her social media campaign as she faces a challenging battle to secure her place in the upcoming Likud primaries. Unlike the previous elections where she was granted a protected spot due to her role in toppling the Bennett-Lapid government, this time she must actively work to convince the party base. Her online activity reveals a clear strategy to dissociate from her past as coalition chair under the Bennett-Lapid administration and to aggressively attack the Israeli legal system, particularly targeting the Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and Supreme Court President Isaac Amit.

Silman frequently labels Baharav-Miara as the "government's legal seamstress" and accuses Amit of being a "danger to democracy and the State of Israel." She also criticizes former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who initially brought her into politics, and promotes conspiracy-laden rhetoric against the judiciary, calling for a purge of the legal system. Her posts include calls for sanctions against Israeli officials from foreign countries, including former U.S. President Donald Trump, and she openly rejects Amit's legitimacy as Supreme Court president.

Her social media output is heavily focused on legal and judicial issues, with 22 posts attacking the Attorney General and 18 targeting Amit over the past year. Silman also dedicates significant attention to the Netanyahu trial, demanding a pardon for the former prime minister and framing the judiciary as corrupt and politically motivated. She frequently praises Netanyahu, portraying him as a vital leader for Israel's future.

Silman maintains strong ties with settler communities and Chabad activists, often posting from settlements and supporting funding for settlement projects. She also cultivates relationships with Likud-affiliated local leaders, using public gestures to reinforce her political base. However, her environmental record is mixed; while she highlights achievements in construction waste regulation, critics note her limited action on major pollution issues and her confrontational stance toward environmental organizations.

Despite her efforts, Silman's social media engagement appears limited, with many posts receiving few shares and hostile responses. Her spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment. As the Likud primaries approach, Silman’s combative online presence underscores her urgent attempt to redefine her political identity and secure voter support within the party.