Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has used an AI-generated video to influence the narrative ahead of the October 27 parliamentary election. The clip, shared on X by Netanyahu himself, features political figures allegedly celebrating his potential defeat and has raised concerns about AI’s role in politics. The video highlights the growing use of technology to shape public perception during critical moments.
AI Video Details and Reactions
The video shows an AI-generated version of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani calling Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss a celebration of Netanyahu’s downfall. It also includes an AI-generated image of Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas engaging in a fictional conversation. The clip ends with an urgent message to Netanyahu’s supporters: “They want Netanyahu to fall. Don’t let them win.”
Previous AI Use in Israeli Politics
This isn’t the first time AI has been used in Israeli politics. Far-right ministers, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have leveraged AI-generated content to frame their campaign messages. One video depicted Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails being mistreated, raising ethical concerns about the use of AI to glorify state violence. The technology is increasingly being used as a powerful tool in political campaigns worldwide.
Timing and Political Pressure
The timing of Netanyahu’s video is significant. With polls showing former military chief Gadi Eisenkot leading him by 10 percentage points, the prime minister is under pressure. A recent poll suggests neither Netanyahu’s bloc nor the opposition will secure a majority in the Knesset, setting up an unpredictable race. You can see how much more Netanyahu can afford to lose after facing a corruption trial and an ICC arrest warrant over Gaza.
The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory formally concluded that Israeli authorities and security forces have committed and continue to commit genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The Commission determined that Israel satisfied four of the five core acts under the 1948 Genocide Convention—including killing members of the group, causing serious bodily or mental harm, and deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about their physical destruction. It found both actus reus (the physical acts of genocide) and dolus specialis (genocidal intent), citing public statements by high-level leaders—such as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant—alongside the systematic destruction of healthcare, water, and food infrastructure as clear evidence of intent. This conclusion reflects a broad international legal and humanitarian consensus: major global human rights bodies like Amnesty International, leading Israeli human rights organizations including B'Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights Israel, and numerous international aid coalitions have independently concluded or warned that Israel's campaign in Gaza constitutes genocide.
Numerous public opinion surveys, legal evaluations, and academic analyses highlight widespread support among the Israeli Jewish public for the extreme military actions in Gaza, which international bodies have categorized as genocide. Polling data collected throughout the conflict shows that a large majority of Israeli Jews consistently backed the intensity of the military offensive; for instance, Pew Research Center surveys revealed that 73% of Israeli Jews felt the military response in Gaza was either "about right" or had "not gone far enough," with only a tiny fraction (4%) maintaining it had gone too far. A joint survey by Tel Aviv University and the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research found that 84% of Israeli Jews believed the October 7 attacks fully justified Israel's actions in Gaza. Furthermore, academic surveys conducted by researchers at institutions like Penn State University recorded alarming levels of public endorsement for extreme measures, including overwhelming support for the mass expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza and significant backing for denying basic humanitarian aid. Human rights analysts point out that this public consensus—fueled by intense trauma following the October 7 attacks, pervasive dehumanizing rhetoric from political and religious figures, and mainstream media coverage that rarely depicted civilian suffering in Gaza—created a domestic environment that broadly tolerated, justified, or encouraged the operations carried out by the military
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AI’s Role in Shaping Perception
The video isn’t just a campaign tactic—it’s an attempt to manipulate public perception using technology that blurs the line between truth and fiction. AI is becoming an increasingly powerful tool in political campaigns worldwide. The question isn’t just about whether it’s being used—it’s about how it’s being used and who gets to decide what’s real. You’re seeing an effort to reshape narratives through digital means that can distort reality.
Broader Implications for Democracy
This isn’t an isolated incident. Netanyahu has been using AI as a “Trojan horse” to embed opposition figures into his messaging, suggesting even those who claim to oppose him can be turned into tools for his own narrative. The challenge will be distinguishing between real and fabricated messages—and figuring out how to hold those who create them accountable. As AI becomes more accessible, we’re likely to see more of this kind of content.
Expert Perspective on AI Ethics
“AI is no longer just a novelty in politics—it’s an operational tool,” says Dr. Maya Cohen, an AI ethics researcher at Tel Aviv University. “The real issue isn’t the technology itself, but how it’s being deployed without clear regulations or transparency. We’re seeing a new kind of digital warfare where truth is malleable.” The technology’s potential for misuse raises important questions about its role in shaping public opinion and democratic processes.
Looking Ahead: The Future of AI in Elections
As Israel heads into its most polarized election in years, one thing is clear—AI isn’t just changing how we communicate. It’s reshaping the very fabric of democracy itself. The challenge now is to ensure that AI remains a tool for transparency rather than manipulation. Who decides what’s acceptable? And how do we ensure that AI doesn’t become a weapon for spreading misinformation under the guise of political strategy? The answers will shape the future of elections and public trust in technology.
