Israeli Election Campaigns Intensify with Personal Attacks and AI Manipulation

With Israeli elections just days away, the political atmosphere has become increasingly aggressive. Candidates are using harsh insults and personal attacks against each other, often crossing ethical boundaries. This escalation is partly fueled by a surge in AI-generated images on social media, which are being used to portray opponents as untrustworthy or harmful to the nation.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political bloc is in a tight race with his main rival, Gadi Eisenkot. Polls indicate that both sides are nearly tied ahead of the vote on Tuesday. In a recent video, Eisenkot wished Netanyahu a happy birthday using AI-generated characters, including a Hamas member, which sparked controversy. Netanyahu has denied accusations that he has helped Hamas maintain power in Gaza.

Netanyahu’s campaign has also utilized AI to create content that stokes fear about a potential coalition with Arab-Israeli parties. This has included videos that depict opposition politicians in a negative light and billboards suggesting that supporting Arab parties threatens Israel’s future.

Critics have labeled these tactics as incitement, particularly from Netanyahu’s camp. Thair Abu Ras, a political analyst, noted that the right-wing view of Arab parties is being imposed on the opposition coalition. Eisenkot, who has faced racialized comments during the campaign, expressed his disdain for the tactics used by Netanyahu.

As the election approaches, candidates with personal ties to recent conflicts, such as Laly Derai, are also facing intense scrutiny. Derai, whose son died in combat, has been targeted with smear campaigns that even invoke her son’s memory. Despite the attacks, she remains committed to her political aspirations, aiming to challenge the hateful rhetoric in the campaign.

The election is significant as it is the first since the October 2023 Hamas attack, and the personal stories of candidates are becoming part of the political narrative. However, many are finding themselves under attack, including relatives of hostages previously held by Hamas, highlighting the intense emotions surrounding this election.