Israel's election laws are irrelevant
An investigative report by Shkufa determines that Israel's election propaganda laws, from 1959, are not adapted to the digital age. A comprehensive reform plan from 2017 was only partially implemented. Experts explain that politicians, who are responsible for legislation, have no interest in limiting themselves, and weak enforcement allows violations to spread quickly before they can be stopped.
An investigative report by Shkufa examines Israel's election propaganda laws, enacted in 1959, and determines they are irrelevant to the digital age. The article quotes experts who argue that politicians, responsible for amending the law, prefer to continue benefiting from existing loopholes and weak enforcement. As an example, it cites a case from the 2020 elections, where Benjamin Netanyahu distributed an edited video of Benny Gantz that went viral before being removed. The article reviews calls for change since 1999, a 2017 reform plan submitted by a committee headed by Dorit Beinisch and partially implemented, and a 2022 transparency law. Experts highlight the gap between the spread rate of prohibited propaganda and enforcement capacity.