Eizenkot Condemns Netanyahu's Demand to Remove AI Election Video as Desperate Attempt to Undermine Him

The Likud party has demanded that Gadi Eizenkot's party, Yisra with Eizenkot, remove an AI-generated election video featuring the former IDF Chief of Staff. The video shows Eizenkot walking with AI-created soldiers behind him, highlighting his military service. Likud claims the use of IDF soldiers and symbols in the video is illegal and creates an improper association between the Israeli military and election propaganda, violating election laws. They argue the video improperly links Eizenkot's political activity with the IDF, which is prohibited.

In response, Yisra with Eizenkot called Likud's demand an irrelevant and improper attempt to harm Eizenkot, especially coming hours after the Knesset passed a law they say encourages draft evasion. The party's lawyer stated the video reflects the reality created by the government, which divides the public into those serving and those evading service, and that the video expresses support for IDF soldiers without implying military endorsement of their party.

The dispute follows Eizenkot's recent campaign launch, where he criticized Netanyahu's call for a broad national unity government, accusing Netanyahu of cynically using the term for electoral gain while fostering division. Likud's letter also accused Eizenkot of using his military background as the main basis for his political appeal, which they say strengthens the forbidden link between the IDF and election campaigning.

Yisra with Eizenkot further accused Likud of a smear campaign involving false videos and misleading attacks, aimed at erasing Eizenkot's military legacy and blurring the clear value differences between the parties ahead of the upcoming elections in 105 days. They also criticized Likud for focusing on this issue instead of addressing other election-related controversies involving security forces.

The conflict highlights tensions between the parties over the use of military imagery in political campaigns and the broader debate about military service and draft evasion in Israel's current political climate.