Likud threatens to petition against Bennett: "Used a baby for election propaganda"

The Likud movement sent a warning letter today, Friday, to former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and his party, "Together - under Bennett's leadership," demanding the removal of a video posted on his Instagram account in which he is seen holding a baby. Likud claims that the baby's appearance in the video constitutes prohibited use of a child for election propaganda purposes, in violation of the law.

The focus of the letter, sent via attorney Ilan Bombach, is a video documenting Bennett meeting passersby in a public space. During the clip, he holds a baby named Liam and repeats his name several times. According to Likud, the baby is the "central and prominent component of the propaganda message" that Bennett sought to convey to the public.

The letter claims that since the baby cannot choose or consent to participate in the video, the publication violates Section 2g of the Election Law (propaganda methods), which prohibits the involvement of children under the age of 15 in election propaganda. It is further argued that it remains unclear whether the baby's parents consented to the use of his image and identity for political purposes and public distribution.

Likud also claims that the way the baby is presented in the video raises "concerns of abuse of a minor and a helpless person," as they state he is being moved from place to place during the filming and appears to be in discomfort.

According to Likud, the video is clear election propaganda intended to showcase the support Bennett enjoys and to motivate voters. Bennett is required to remove the video by this coming Sunday; Likud clarified that if he fails to do so, an urgent petition will be filed against him with the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee.