Election Committee Orders Gadi Eizenkot to Remove AI-Generated IDF Soldiers Video

Noam Solberg, chairman of Israel's Central Elections Committee, instructed Gadi Eizenkot, leader of the Yisrael! party, to remove a campaign video featuring AI-generated images of IDF soldiers from all social media platforms. The video included depictions of the former IDF Chief of Staff walking against AI-created backgrounds and showed soldiers engaged in various military activities, such as combat and entering a home, implying an official military message about fallen soldiers.

The Likud party filed a petition with the Central Elections Committee against the video, arguing it improperly used public assets for election propaganda, violating Section 2A of the Elections Law. Solberg ruled that although the video was published before a specific ban on using the IDF in election campaigns took effect, the general prohibition on using public assets for propaganda still applied.

He emphasized that the use of military uniforms and soldier figures, considered intangible public assets, was a significant part of the video's campaign message, creating an inappropriate association between Eizenkot and the IDF. Consequently, the video constituted unlawful use of public assets for election purposes.

Likud stated that the committee determined Eizenkot's video made improper and cynical use of IDF soldiers and ordered its removal along with payment of legal costs.