Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conducted an unusual live broadcast on his official TikTok account Wednesday evening, reaching out directly to young voters on the popular social media platform ahead of upcoming elections. The livestream, designed to create unfiltered real-time communication with tens of thousands of young users, generated significant interest and drew thousands of comments and requests from viewers hoping to join the broadcast.
The session included a candid moment as Netanyahu adjusted to the platform's interface. When attempting to accept an incoming call from one of the users, he could be heard asking aloud how to approve the connection ("Hello? Should I press?"), while staff members in the background briefly guided him on which on-screen button to tap ("Do Dismiss... now press the green one"). Moments later, the connection was established and an open conversation with the user began.
On the other end of the broadcast was Lior, a 17-year-old high school student from Nes Ziona, a city in central Israel. Upon realizing she had successfully connected with the prime minister, she struggled to contain her surprise, responding with an excited "Oh my God." Netanyahu asked about her personal details, inquiring about her age and hometown, and complimented Nes Ziona, noting with a smile that it's a lovely and familiar place.
The conversation then turned to her high school studies and her favorite subjects, with the prime minister encouraging her to continue investing in her education. The discussion eventually shifted to her future military service and expected enlistment in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), which is compulsory for most Israeli citizens. When Netanyahu learned that the young student had not yet decided on the role she wanted to pursue in the military, he took the opportunity to offer her personal, practical life advice.
The prime minister emphasized that it's much easier to achieve goals and reach meaningful destinations when you know your objective in advance. "You know, there's still time, but know that it's much easier to get somewhere if you know where you want to go," he told her. Netanyahu recommended she use the remaining time to consult with her parents and friends, adding with a lighthearted tone that while he couldn't provide her with an official note from a teacher or doctor, early planning would help her achieve a far more interesting and fulfilling military service. The conversation concluded with warm wishes of good luck from the prime minister.
