Netanyahu Denies Watching Controversial AI Video Targeting Gadi Eizenkot Amid Death Threats Against Family

During a visit to Washington, a senior political source revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not seen the AI-generated video released by his Likud party targeting Gadi Eizenkot, a leading contender for prime minister from the opposition camp. The source said Netanyahu only heard the public reactions and believes it is inappropriate to focus on grief exploitation. The source also expressed frustration that the media is not addressing the death threats directed at Netanyahu, his wife Sara, and their son Yair, urging serious attention to these threats.

Last week, Likud and Netanyahu published an AI video depicting Eizenkot running toward a young man symbolizing "Israeli unity," but then diverting to embrace Mansour Abbas, leader of the Arab party Ra'am. Many viewers interpreted the young man as resembling Eizenkot's son Gal, who was killed in Gaza during the war, sparking sharp criticism despite no explicit mention of Gal in the video. The original video was removed the same afternoon.

In response, Likud released a revised video replacing the young man with a woman, accompanied by Netanyahu's statement accusing extremists of spreading false conspiracies to hide the fact that Eizenkot cannot form a government without Arab parties and Yair Golan. Netanyahu's advisor Jonathan Urich shared the video with a caption emphasizing the denial of conspiracy claims. The controversy highlights tensions within Israeli politics ahead of the upcoming election and concerns over political discourse and personal threats.