Transport Minister Miri Regev Faces Backlash Over AI-Edited Photo With Netanyahu Ahead of Likud Primaries

Transport Minister Miri Regev sparked controversy over the weekend after posting a photo of herself alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, thanking him for his "trust, support, and shared path" and urging Likud members to vote for her in the upcoming primaries. However, social media users quickly identified the image as a 2022 photo that had been digitally altered using artificial intelligence, including changes to Regev's clothing.

The edited photo gave the impression of a recent meeting between Regev and Netanyahu, which was not the case. Influential social media figure Yevgeny Zrubinsky mocked the post, suggesting Regev resorted to using the doctored image because Netanyahu had not publicly endorsed her or created a supportive video. He warned that the post could mislead voters into believing Netanyahu had recently expressed public support for her.

Regev's office confirmed the image's origin and the AI modifications but did not deny the use of the altered photo. The timing of the post, just days before the Likud primaries where Netanyahu's endorsement is a significant advantage, intensified the backlash. When contacted, Regev's spokesperson thanked Zrubinsky for raising awareness of the campaign and reiterated her primary candidate number, 138.

This incident highlights the growing scrutiny over political campaign materials and the ethical questions surrounding AI use in political imagery, especially in the sensitive context of internal party elections.