Likud Threatens Bennett With Lawsuit Over Campaign Video

The Likud party on Monday sent a formal warning letter to former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, demanding he remove a video posted on X (formerly Twitter) that allegedly violates Israeli election law. The party claims the video improperly features soldiers, IDF uniforms, and military weapons as part of campaign material. If Bennett fails to remove the content by noon Tuesday, Likud has threatened to petition the chairman of the Central Elections Committee.

Attorney Ilan Bombach dispatched the warning on Likud's behalf. According to the letter, the video Bennett uploaded on August 16 prominently features members of "Koa Avshalom" (Avshalom Force), a reserve unit, carrying IDF-issued weapons while dressed in military uniforms.

Likud argued that the weapons and uniforms appear throughout numerous segments of the video and constitute a central element of the footage. The party contends these military components form an integral part of the image Bennett chose to present to the public, alongside the reserve force members and the security context of his visit.

The letter emphasized that Koa Avshalom is not a private civilian organization. Citing official IDF publications, the warning notes that the unit is one of several special reserve forces established during the current war to defend Gaza border communities and assist local security teams. Another IDF publication described the force as "a reserve unit of the Northern Brigade in the Gaza Division."

Likud alleges that Bennett's use of the reserve force members, weapons, and uniforms was designed to reinforce the public message he seeks to convey. The party claims this constitutes election propaganda that makes improper use of public assets, in violation of Section 2A of the Elections Law.

The letter acknowledged that the visit took place following an invitation from the head of the Nahal Oz regional council, but Likud maintains this fact does not negate the promotional nature of the publication.

Attorney Bombach demanded that Bennett remove the video from his X account and any other platform where it was published. He also requested a commitment from Bennett not to engage in similar use of military assets in the future.

Likud set a deadline of noon on Tuesday, August 18, for removal of the content. Should Bennett fail to comply, the party indicated it would urgently petition the chairman of the Central Elections Committee and request an injunction to prevent further distribution of the video.