"Flagrant violation of the election law": Likud demands the removal of a post supporting Eisenkot

The Likud movement, through the law firm of Ilan Bombach, sent a warning letter today, Wednesday, to the chairman of the KKL (Jewish National Fund), demanding the removal of a post that appeared on social media, in which public support was expressed for Gadi Eisenkot as a candidate for Prime Minister.

The letter claims that the post, which was published on the KKL chairman's Facebook account, constitutes a "flagrant violation" of the provisions of the Knesset Elections Law and the duties imposed upon him in the framework of his public role.

"My client, the Likud movement, is turning to you with a demand to remove the advertisement published yesterday on your Facebook account, in which you expressed open and explicit support for Gadi Eisenkot as a candidate for Prime Minister," the warning letter stated.

Likud claims that the publication constitutes "election propaganda" prohibited under Section 130 of the Knesset Elections Law, which forbids state employees and certain public officials from taking part in election propaganda. In the letter, Likud points to rulings of the Central Elections Committee, according to which activity on social media may also be considered election propaganda when its purpose is to influence the voting public.

It is further claimed that the prohibition applies even when the publication is made outside of working hours, with reference to previous court decisions. According to Likud, a direct call to support Eisenkot in the elections is not merely an expression of personal opinion, but constitutes prohibited election propaganda.

The Likud movement demands the immediate removal of the publication and clarifies that if the demand is not met, further legal steps will be considered.