Judges dragged through the streets — this is far beyond political criticism | Yair Avidan

Yair Avidan argues that a propaganda video by the Religious Zionism party, showing judges and a legal adviser being dragged through the streets, crosses the line from legitimate political criticism to incitement and humiliation. The article calls on leaders to commit to a campaign free of violence and delegitimization, and warns of the consequences of violent imagery on a wounded and tense society.

Yair Avidan analyzes the propaganda video of the Religious Zionism party, which depicts Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and Supreme Court Justice Yitzhak Amit being dragged through the streets. According to him, this image of humiliation and forceful removal goes beyond substantive political criticism. Avidan emphasizes that leadership is tested not only by the criminal question of incitement, but by judgment, personal example, and understanding the context in which the message is disseminated. He notes that Israeli society enters the 2026 elections wounded and tense, after years of war, bereavement, hostages, and constitutional controversy. The article calls on Bezalel Smotrich to remove the video, and on all party leaders to commit to a sharp but non-violent campaign that avoids delegitimization. Avidan warns that on October 28 and beyond, we will still need to live together, and asks whether we will stop in time.