The launch of the 'Law and Justice 2.0' plan by the Religious Zionism party, led by Bezalel Smotrich and Simcha Rothman, has ignited sharp reactions across Israel's political and public spheres. At the center of the controversy is an AI-generated video published by the party, which depicts Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit, Justice Daphna Barak-Erez, and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara being led away in handcuffs on public streets. According to a report by ICE, the video was released as part of the party's campaign for judicial reform.
The publication triggered a wave of condemnation from public figures. Gadi Eizenkot described the video as a vile and violent publication, while Yair Golan and Gilad Kariv alleged that it constitutes blood libel and dangerous incitement. President Isaac Herzog also addressed the incident with a stern warning, emphasizing that it is an offensive video that does not align with the rules of democratic conduct. Following the publication, the Movement for Quality Government filed a demand for a criminal investigation on suspicion of incitement to violence.
Conversely, Smotrich rejected the criticism and emphasized that the plan's goal is to implement deep reforms in the judicial system and replace key figures. Simcha Rothman noted that the initiative was born from lessons learned and is part of an ongoing struggle against the entire judicial system. Meanwhile, social media presented a complex picture of Israeli discourse; alongside users who supported the party's combative message, there was widespread protest from citizens who expressed deep concern over the deepening of social divisions.
This current storm highlights the rising tension surrounding the issue of judicial reform as a central topic on the public agenda. The political system's ability to maintain substantive debate without descending into violent imagery is becoming a fundamental test for Israeli democracy, especially as the election date approaches. The pointed public debate suggests that regardless of the party's original political content, the use of advanced technologies to depict judges and law enforcement officials in an offensive manner invites widespread legal and ethical criticism.