Likud Weighs AI Robocalls in Netanyahu's Voice, Drawing Internal Criticism

Likud is in advanced talks with an artificial intelligence company about launching an unusual digital election campaign ahead of the 26th Knesset race. According to a report in Israel Hayom by Shirit Avitan Cohen, the plan would use a sophisticated voice-bot system to place unsolicited calls to potential voters across Israel.

People who answer would hear Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's voice urging them to vote for Likud. The system would not just play a prerecorded message, but would allow voters to hold a two-way interactive conversation with the bot.

The proposal is already provoking anger inside the party. Some Likud figures said they were disappointed and called it a mistake that could push away the party's traditional supporters. They argued that the public will not connect with conversations handled by a robot, even if it sounds like the prime minister.

Those critics contrasted the plan with Netanyahu's earlier style of campaigning, when he would meet activists and residents in person, including at markets such as Jerusalem's Mahane Yehuda Market. On the legal side, sources said there is no prohibition on the move, but the company would be required to clearly tell callers during the conversation that they are speaking with an AI system and not Netanyahu himself, to avoid misleading the public.