‘Wanted dead or alive’: Golan campaign billboard vandalized amid fears of political violence

A campaign billboard for the left-wing Democrats party was vandalized with threatening graffiti targeting chairman Yair Golan, including the words 'Wanted dead or alive' and 'KKK.' Golan posted the image on X, saying hope will defeat hatred at the ballot box. The incident comes amid fears of political violence ahead of the October 27 election, with the IDF chief of staff ordering heightened alert. Separately, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu touted his endorsement from US President Donald Trump, while Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party sent a warning letter to a sports channel over Netanyahu's planned attendance at a soccer match, arguing it is electioneering.

A campaign billboard for the left-wing Democrats party, featuring chairman Yair Golan, was vandalized with threatening graffiti, including the words 'Wanted dead or alive' scrawled across Golan's face, alongside accusations of being 'a vile murderer of Jews' and the letters 'KKK.' Golan posted a photo of the defaced billboard on X, writing, 'The sign can be vandalized. Hope cannot. In 8 days, hope will defeat hatred. Our response will be at the ballot box.' The incident comes amid fears of political violence surrounding the October 27 election. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir ordered the military to raise its alert level ahead of the vote, saying the mission is to enable democratic elections to take place safely. The Democrats had previously petitioned the High Court of Justice for state security for Golan, citing dozens of threats, but the court asked Golan to withdraw the petition, saying it cannot intervene in professional security matters. Separately, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu touted his endorsement from US President Donald Trump, thanking him in a phone call and stressing unfinished business in Iran and on the Abraham Accords. Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party sent a warning letter to Israel's Sports Channel over Netanyahu's planned attendance at a soccer match, arguing it is electioneering. Yashar also released an AI-generated video depicting Netanyahu eating non-kosher lobster and accusing him of sidelining Mizrahi members of his Likud party, following a racist slur by a pro-Netanyahu pundit against Eisenkot. Ultra-Orthodox Charedi Public party chair Moti Leitner refused to suspend his campaign despite low polls, citing 'shy voters.'