Democrats Candidate Naor Narkis Vows to Close Mikvehs in Next Government

Naor Narkis, the Democratic Party candidate, responded to an AI-generated video released by the Religious Zionism party that featured a manipulated recording of him supporting the closure of mikvehs (ritual baths). The video included the caption, "In the Eizenkot government, Minister of Religion Naor Narkis will close the mikvehs. They mean what they say. Listen to them." Narkis confirmed the video's content on his social media account X, stating, "I eagerly await becoming the Minister of Secularism and dismantling the ultra-Orthodox establishment. A democratic state separates religion from cash, and that is what I will do with my partners in the camp. To realize the plan to separate religion from cash that worries Smotrich, you only need to join the Democrats."

This video is part of a series published by the Religious Zionism party amid concerns about the next government. Previous videos included statements from Democratic Party leader Yair Golan about closing the Ali pre-military academy, which Golan also confirmed. Another video showed remarks by Yifat Shasha-Biton, chair of the Yachad party, supporting Palestinian autonomy in Areas A and B, captioned as "In the Eizenkot government, Minister for Regional Cooperation Naftali Bennett will establish a Palestinian state." An additional video focused on opposition leader Yair Lapid, portrayed as the future Foreign Minister in the Eizenkot government, featuring his statements about advancing peace with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.