Elections Committee Orders Smotrich to Remove Video | This Is the Reason

Central Elections Committee Chairman, Judge Noam Sohlberg, issued a temporary order instructing Minister Bezalel Smotrich and his party to remove a campaign video featuring two girls conversing. The association "Choose Israel" petitioned, claiming a violation of the prohibition on involving children in election propaganda. Smotrich is required to respond to the petition by Monday.

Central Elections Committee Chairman, Judge Noam Sohlberg, issued a temporary order today (Thursday) instructing Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and his party to remove a campaign video published yesterday evening from their social media accounts. The video shows two girls discussing how one of their fathers has not been required to serve reserve duty for a year, concluding that the reason is "Smotrich." The association "Choose Israel" petitioned the committee, arguing that the video violates the prohibition on involving children in election propaganda, as stipulated in Section 2G of the Elections Law (Propaganda Methods), which prohibits involving a child under 15 in propaganda, except for routine photography. The association requested a temporary order until the petition is heard. Sohlberg granted the request and instructed the minister and his party to respond to the petition by Monday, August 23, 2026. The decision was made in the context of the elections for the 26th Knesset.