Netanyahu Slams "Cheating" Social Media Post Ahead of Election
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the "Statues Mevzatzim" Facebook page of a "dirty election trick" by suggesting voters write "BS"D" on ballots, which invalidates them. He warned this could disqualify votes and help opposition parties form a government. The page, known for viral content, has a history of controversy. The incident occurs just days before the election, during Netanyahu's extensive media engagement.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Netanyahu accused "Statues Mevzatzim" of a "dirty election trick" to invalidate votes.
- A post suggested writing "BS"D" on ballots, which Netanyahu stated disqualifies them.
- Netanyahu claimed the goal was to help opposition parties form a government.
- The "Statues Mevzatzim" Facebook page is known for influential viral and satirical content.
- The incident occurred two days before the Israeli general election.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly criticized the popular Facebook page "Statues Mevzatzim" (Twitting Statuses), accusing it of orchestrating a "dirty election trick" aimed at invalidating votes. The controversy erupted after a post on the page suggested voters write "BS"D" (B'ezrat Hashem, meaning 'with God's help') on their ballots, accompanied by a handwritten note. Netanyahu warned that any additional writing on a ballot, however well-intentioned, renders it invalid, potentially disenfranchising thousands of voters, particularly among traditional and religious communities.
Netanyahu asserted that the post's true intention was to cause votes to be disqualified, thereby enabling opposition figures like Gadi Eisenkot and Yair Golan to form a government with Arab parties. He vowed this would not happen due to the public's awareness and vigilance.
The "Statues Mevzatzim" page, established in 2010 by journalist Avi Len, is known for its influential satirical and viral content, boasting hundreds of thousands of followers. The page has a history of controversy, including a temporary removal by Meta in 2015 for alleged violations of paid post regulations, which was later overturned by the courts.
This incident occurs just two days before the general election, amidst Netanyahu's broader media blitz. While historically known for boycotting mainstream media, Netanyahu has recently engaged in numerous interviews across various platforms, including Channel 14, i24NEWS, podcasts, and even breaking a long-standing boycott with an interview on Kan 11. He also reportedly considered an interview with Channel 12 News. The prime minister's media strategy also extends to social media, where he has previously clashed with outlets like the "Push" page, reportedly linked to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, over perceived excessive coverage.
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