PNN – The head of the Knesset Central Elections Committee announced that the Israeli Prime Minister used state resources for election campaigning in certain speeches and events involving the military, as well as in a number of social media posts.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network citing Sada Al-Balad, Noam Sohlberg—a judge and the head of the Knesset Central Elections Committee—upheld several petitions filed against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He ruled that Netanyahu’s use of military-related speeches and events, along with certain state resources in various published materials, constituted prohibited election campaigning.
This ruling, which addresses six petitions, examines Netanyahu’s use of statements, images, and media content related to his meetings with Israeli military personnel and commanders—material that was partly disseminated via his official and personal social media accounts.
Solberg noted that, in one instance, Netanyahu utilized remarks made during a situation assessment meeting with senior military commanders for election campaign purposes. The ruling states that the Prime Minister’s presence at such military events constitutes access to a public resource—an advantage not equally available to other candidates.
The head of the occupying regime’s election committee also emphasized that the use of images and content related to the military could provide a campaign advantage for Netanyahu, given his access to these resources by virtue of his position as prime minister.
The decision also addresses material published regarding Netanyahu’s visit to an Israeli military position in southern Lebanon.
This material was produced and disseminated via his personal accounts. The Election Committee stated that these instances involved the use of state resources—such as the Prime Minister’s Office’s filming and distribution services, as well as a military visit not accessible to other candidates.
Solberg rejected Netanyahu’s argument that certain statements were made to inform the public and articulate political positions, declaring instead that remarks regarding his ability to continue his political path and achieve future results could constitute election-related content aimed at winning over voters.
Based on this decision, certain statements made by Netanyahu—which highlighted him personally and drew implicit comparisons with the positions of his political rivals—were deemed by the Election Committee to constitute election campaigning.
The Election Committee ordered the removal of the content found to be in violation of regulations from the relevant accounts.
Additionally, Netanyahu was personally ordered to pay 29,000 shekels to cover the costs associated with the petitions filed in the case.
The Election Committee accepted some of the petitions in full and others in part, while rejecting one of the petitions filed in this case.