Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit issued a legal opinion that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also serves as defense minister, cannot release photographs of himself meeting IDF soldiers for the duration of the election campaign.
Campaign advertising rules forbid using uniformed soldiers in campaign materials, and it is illegal to campaign on IDF bases.
The attorney general’s opinion applies to all candidates, but affects Netanyahu’s campaign materials most significantly. Netanyahu’s office has been releasing photographs of him visiting IDF units several times a week since the Knesset voted to head to elections in December.
Mandelblit’s opinion also says Netanyahu cannot deliver political speeches during IDF base visits.
Mandelblit clarifies the restrictions only apply to publicizing the photos. There is no limit on the defense minister conducting base visits, nor do the rules apply in cases of operational need, such as a public announcement in a national-security emergency.
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From the Liveblog of
Thursday, February 7, 2019
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