Transportation Minister Miri Regev Faces Backlash Over AI-Edited Photo in Likud Primaries Campaign

As the Likud party primaries approach on Monday, August 17, 2026, Transportation Minister Miri Regev attempted a surprising campaign move that backfired. Regev posted a photo on social media showing her shaking hands with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, seemingly to signal his support for her candidacy. However, the image was quickly identified by online users as an AI-edited version of a photo taken four years ago, sparking criticism for its inauthenticity.

In her tweet, Regev thanked Netanyahu for his "trust, support, and shared path," urging voters to support her as candidate number 138 in the upcoming primaries. Critics pointed out the outdated photo and questioned the legitimacy of the claimed support, with some mocking the use of AI to alter the image. Journalist Uri Misgav also highlighted the poor quality of the AI editing and questioned the need to change clothing in the photo.

This incident adds to a series of recent missteps by Regev. About a month earlier, she mistakenly said she reads the weekly Torah portion "Balak" from the Book of Deuteronomy every Tuesday, when the portion is actually from the Book of Numbers. After becoming a subject of ridicule online, she clarified that she follows a schedule set by Rabbi Pinto, who assigns different portions to specific days.

The pressure on Likud candidates is mounting as they compete to secure votes, and Regev's attempts to boost her campaign through digital means have so far drawn negative attention rather than support. The primaries will determine the party's candidate list for upcoming elections, making every vote crucial.