Noam Sohlberg rejects petition against Smotrich: 'Not an easy watch, but no grounds'

Central Elections Committee Chairman Judge Noam Sohlberg rejected petitions against an AI video by the Religious Zionism party, which featured senior judicial figures. Sohlberg ruled there is no legal basis to disqualify the video, despite personally finding it difficult to watch.

Central Elections Committee Chairman Judge Noam Sohlberg rejected petitions filed against the AI video of the Religious Zionism party, which depicted senior judicial figures, including Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and Judge Yitzhak Amit. The petitions were submitted by the Israel Bar Association, which argued the video violates the prohibition on interfering with the proper conduct of elections due to threats against senior law enforcement officials, and by the Yashar L'Yisrael with Eisenkot party, which argued that using images of senior public servants violates the prohibition on using public assets in election propaganda. Sohlberg ruled it is doubtful whether the senior officials feel threatened by the video, and that using a public servant's image for criticism does not violate the prohibition. He added that watching the video was not easy for him personally, but he must address the legal aspect. The video was published against the backdrop of the Religious Zionism party's comprehensive plan for changes to the judicial system, led by MK Simcha Rothman, including changes to judicial appointments, the powers of the High Court of Justice, and legal counsel to the government.