An Israeli reservist group known for its opposition to the government’s judicial overhaul has threatened legal action against the Likud party’s lawyer over allegations related to the upcoming election. Brothers and Sisters in Arms, a protest organization, responded on Monday to a video posted on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official social media account in which the group was accused of planning to disrupt the election process.
The video, presented by Netanyahu and Ilan Bombach, Likud’s lawyer, claimed that Brothers and Sisters in Arms, along with protest group Kaplan Force and another organization called HaGideonim, sought to undermine the integrity of the election. Likud alleged these groups were organizing “acts of bullying” aimed at preventing the party from monitoring voting stations and claimed such actions could interfere with voters’ ability to reach polling places freely.
Brothers and Sisters in Arms issued a formal warning letter to Bombach, rejecting the accusations as unfounded and defamatory. The letter described the claims as “extremely severe, devoid of any factual basis, completely false,” and characterized them as part of a broader defamation campaign orchestrated by elements within Likud and Netanyahu’s inner circle.
The controversy follows a complaint filed by Likud last month regarding election-day protests. Yifat Siminovsky, legal adviser to the Central Elections Committee, emphasized the shared commitment of election officials, the attorney general, and the Israel Police to protect voters’ rights. According to Siminovsky, law enforcement agencies have assured that demonstrations will not be permitted on Election Day and that traffic routes will remain open to guarantee that voters can reach polling stations safely and without obstruction.
Despite these assurances, Likud expressed dissatisfaction, with Netanyahu questioning Bombach about the enforcement of these measures during the video segment. Bombach responded that there had been “complete inaction” in addressing Likud’s concerns. He described a chain of referral from the attorney general to the police commissioner and other officials, implying a lack of decisive enforcement to prevent alleged disruptions.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding Israel’s electoral process amid a politically polarized environment, with opposition groups and government supporters clashing over the legitimacy and conduct of upcoming elections. Authorities maintain their commitment to upholding voter access and election integrity, while political actors continue to spar over the roles and tactics of various activist groups.