Likud Demands Broadcast Delay for Opposition-Backed Rally Ahead of Election
The Likud party has urged television channels to delay the live broadcast of an upcoming opposition-backed rally at Hostages Square, citing concerns over illegal election propaganda.
The Likud party demanded on Thursday that television channels refrain from broadcasting live speeches from the major "October Council" rally, scheduled for Saturday night at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv. The rally takes place just three days before the Knesset elections. In an urgent letter sent by attorney Ilan Bombach on behalf of the party, Likud warned that the event risks becoming a platform for illegal election propaganda due to the participation of opposition leaders and political messaging.
Broadcasters and Legal Context
The letter was addressed to legal advisers at the Kan public broadcaster, Keshet 12, Reshet 13, Channel 14, alongside the Second Authority and the Attorney General. Likud is not seeking to ban coverage of the event entirely, but rather to mandate a ten-minute broadcast delay for speeches. This measure aims to allow news editors to review content and prevent violations of election propaganda laws. Bombach cited a 2019 precedent set by former Central Elections Committee Chairman Hanan Melcer, which restricted live coverage of a Likud convention to distinguish between legitimate reporting and election campaigning.
Rally Agenda and Reactions
The rally, titled "Three Days Until We Vote for a State Commission of Inquiry," is set to feature bereaved families, hostage survivors, and opposition figures including Yair Lapid, Naftali Bennett, Gadi Eisenkot, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yair Golan. Organizers emphasize the demand for an official inquiry into the October 7 failures.
"Are Ronen Ashel, Kfir and Ariel Bibas, and 2,200 victims considered election propaganda? Who is afraid to hear the bereaved families and survivors?" stated the October Council in response.
Organizers accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of attempting to silence grieving families, noting that the appeal follows a recent decision by the Attorney General to block live broadcast of Netanyahu's speech at a military graduation ceremony over similar election rules concerns.
