Religious Zionism Sparks Outrage with AI Video Over Judicial Overhaul Plan
The Religious Zionism party sparked intense backlash by releasing an AI-generated video showing top legal officials arrested, as leaders Bezalel Smotrich and Simcha Rothman unveiled a sweeping judicial overhaul plan ahead of the upcoming elections.
The Religious Zionism party released an AI-generated video depicting Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara being dragged by security guards after being arrested at a protest. The video was distributed as part of the presentation of the judicial reform pushed by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and led by Constitution Committee Chairman MK Simcha Rothman.
Strong Reactions from Opposition Leaders
Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot strongly condemned the video, stating: "I strongly condemn the despicable and violent video uploaded by draft-evasion enabler and refusal supporter Bezalel Smotrich, who pretends to represent the sons and daughters of Religious Zionism, but in practice stains and harms the reputation of an entire sector. All of this during the Ten Days of Repentance, on the eve of Yom Kippur. They have learned nothing from October 7. In their political distress, they are willing to drag Israeli society into the abyss once again."
The Democrats leader Yair Golan added: "The video by Smotrich and Rothman is dangerous incitement and a direct threat. Those who mark Supreme Court judges and the Attorney General as enemies and portray them being dragged in the streets know exactly what they are doing. On October 27, we will put an end to this, replace them, and restore responsible leadership to Israel."
"This is a foundational plan to restore Israeli democracy to its path. Israeli citizens have proven time and again that they want governance, security, and true rule of law," said Constitution Committee Chairman Simcha Rothman.
Details of the Proposed Judicial Reform
The plan presented by Smotrich and Rothman focuses on canceling the reasonableness standard, altering the judicial selection committee, advancing the override clause, and removing the Police Internal Investigations Department from the State Attorney's Office. At the center of the proposal is the complete splitting of the Attorney General's role into a government-appointed legal advisor and an independent public prosecutor.
Regarding the Supreme Court, the plan proposes public hearings for judicial nominees, electing the court president and deputy through a secret ballot of all Israeli judges, and determining hearing panels via a computerized random system. Smotrich stated that the upcoming term will see the appointment of ten Supreme Court justices, an attorney general, and a state prosecutor, which will shape the country for years to come.
