The Central Elections Committee ordered the Yashar party, led by Eizenkot, to state that a video showing Netanyahu congratulating Sinwar is not genuine, or to remove it, after its publication caused a stir in Israel days before the expected parliamentary elections. The clip was published in the context of the electoral contest between Eizenkot and Netanyahu.
Committee decision on Netanyahu-Sinwar video
The committee issued its decision in response to a request submitted by the Likud party, led by Netanyahu, under the Elections Law provisions on campaigning methods, while the hearing on the case is still under way. The Central Elections Committee’s interim order stipulated that the Yashar party must attach a clarification to the clip stating that digital tools were used to create or edit it, or remove the video.
The clip shows Netanyahu speaking by telephone with Sinwar, whom the source described as the planner of the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel, and congratulating him. At the end of the video, Netanyahu is shown covering his eyes, alongside the words: “Netanyahu, you received warnings but did not prevent the attack from taking place.”
The wording refers to reports alleging that Netanyahu received warnings of an imminent attack before 7 October, but took no action in response. Netanyahu strongly denies the accuracy of these reports. The Israeli army killed Sinwar in the Gaza Strip in October 2024, about a year after the war in the Strip began.
