National Security Minister Ben Gvir Seeks Legal Change to Film with Police During Election Campaign

Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir is demanding a change to the election campaign regulations to allow ministers to be photographed alongside police and firefighters in action without it being considered improper use of public resources for campaigning. The current law, known as the "Election Campaign Methods Law," prohibits such use, and recent rulings by the Chair of the Elections Committee and Deputy Supreme Court President, Judge Noam Solberg, have repeatedly blocked Ben Gvir's campaign videos for violating these rules.

Ben Gvir's proposal, supported by his party colleague MK Yitzhak Kroizer, would exempt all ministers and deputy ministers from these restrictions when appearing with personnel under their authority. This move is set to be decided in a coalition vote. Some government sources, including members of Otzma Yehudit and other coalition parties, criticized Judge Solberg's rulings as excessive, arguing that ministers are merely discussing their official duties.

Judge Solberg has ordered the removal of several of Ben Gvir's videos, including footage of him touring a police boat, visiting Ofer Prison, a video depicting the humiliation of Gaza flotilla detainees, and one about the death penalty for terrorists filmed at the Underground Prisoners Museum. Ben Gvir is not alone; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was also ordered to remove a video from his personal political account featuring senior IDF commanders, citing improper use of public events for electioneering. Similarly, Transportation Minister Miri Regev and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have had to edit or remove videos related to their ministerial activities due to similar concerns.