Israeli Election Campaign Intensifies with Rising Misinformation and Incitement Against Gadi Eizenkot

With the Israeli elections just two and a half months away and the Likud primaries scheduled for next week, the political atmosphere is entering what is described as the 'money time' phase, marked by escalating mudslinging, blood libels, and extreme rhetoric. This period is expected to be particularly challenging for the public to endure due to the surge in inflammatory and false claims.

A notable example of this trend is the recent sharp escalation in incitement against former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot. Channel 14 previously aired derogatory remarks about Eizenkot, calling him incompetent and biased, but the rhetoric intensified when radio host Yinon Magal claimed on Radio 103 that Israel's enemies, including Hamas, Iran, the Palestinian Authority, and Turkey, prefer Eizenkot as prime minister over Benjamin Netanyahu. Magal also hinted at Qatar's covert political influence in Israel, fueling conspiracy theories that are gaining traction among some segments of the population.

The article highlights a disturbing incident during a live radio call-in show where a listener from Netanya verbally attacked Eizenkot, cursing him despite his personal losses in war and his rise from humble beginnings. This reflects the toxic environment driven by hatred and fear, emotions that political strategist Natan Eshel once noted as unifying Netanyahu's base.

Netanyahu is accused of exploiting this atmosphere by downplaying the October 7 massacre, refusing government participation in memorial ceremonies, attempting to rename the conflict, and blocking a state inquiry into the failures that led to the tragedy. The massacre, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths in a single day, including civilians and soldiers, remains a central and contentious issue in the campaign.

The article also criticizes the proliferation of misleading campaign videos by Likud candidates boasting exaggerated military victories, contributing to a 'post-truth' era where facts are distorted or inverted. This phenomenon, linked to the global rise of 'alternative facts,' is now deeply embedded in Israeli politics, with some politicians denying Netanyahu's responsibility for the October 7 events and shifting blame elsewhere.

As the election approaches, the political discourse is expected to become even more heated, dirty, and divisive, postponing any national healing to a later time.