Israeli attack ads heat up as elections quickly approach

World Today

As Israeli elections quickly approach, television attack ads are heating up with some saying they go too far. CCTV’s Stephanie Freid filed this report from Tel Aviv.

Terrorism is holding a controversial place in Israeli politics this election season with what appears to be another ISIL video sending out global shockwaves. It’s actaully an Israeli election ad put out by current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party.

As ISIL militants ask for directions to Jerusalem in the advert they are told to, “take a left”. The ad ends with bullet fire and bold print which reads: ‘The left will give in to terror’. The ad, meant to instill fear and get votes has some saying it’s too extreme. In contrast, the rather tame ultra-left wing party Meretz’s ad suggests a vote for them will lead Israel out of the dark into the light.

“This is not about negative campaigning nor is it about positive campaigning. It’s not about campaigning at all. It’s about pure incitement. And we asked – the Meretz party asked – the advocate general to look into it in a legal perspective” Uri Zaken, Meretz parliament candidate said.

Likud representatives issued the following statement in response:
“The message of the video is clear. Every time Israel has elected a left wing government it has led to dangerous concessions and territorial withdrawals resulting in increased terrorism and violence….”

Negative or not, polls show Netanyahu’s Likud party is currently in the lead indicating he will likely return as prime minister for a fourth term.