Likud Demands News Channels Delay Live Broadcast of Bereaved Families' Rally

The Likud party has requested that Israeli news channels refrain from broadcasting a rally for families of October 7th massacre victims and survivors live on Saturday night. The party, represented by attorney Ilan Bombach, cited concerns that the live broadcast could inadvertently include prohibited election propaganda, just days before the upcoming Knesset elections.

Bombach's letter to Channels 11, 12, 13, and 14 argues for a delay in broadcasting the event, which is scheduled to take place at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv. This delay, the party contends, would allow for the screening and filtering of any political content that might violate election laws, specifically citing a section of the Election Law that prohibits election propaganda on radio and television within 60 days of an election, outside of legally defined arrangements.

The Likud maintains that the rally has clear political characteristics and fears that election-related messages could be aired. The demand is not to prevent coverage altogether, but to avoid live transmission without prior content review.

The October 7th Families Council vehemently criticized Likud's demand, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of attempting to silence bereaved families and survivors. "Netanyahu is again trying to silence the bereaved families," the council stated, questioning if the testimonies of victims and survivors constitute election propaganda. They accused Netanyahu of avoiding meetings with these families and evading their calls for a state inquiry commission.

The council asserted that this demand is part of a pattern to prevent public exposure to the families' testimonies and their calls for a state commission of inquiry, which they claim Netanyahu is avoiding. The rally is still set to proceed as planned on Saturday night, with the council urging the public to attend and support the demand for a state investigation.