Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared an AI-generated image of a nuclear explosion over Tel Aviv on his official social media accounts just two days before Israel’s October 27 election. The post warned of an existential threat from Iran, drawing sharp condemnation from opposition leaders who accused him of trying to terrify voters.
The image appeared on Netanyahu’s Instagram and X accounts. It showed a towering mushroom cloud engulfing the densely populated skyline of Tel Aviv.
Accompanying the AI-generated picture, the prime minister invoked the threat of a second Holocaust
prepared by Iran. He argued that Israel’s security depended on the outcome of the impending vote.
Netanyahu shared a statement by political commentator Yuval Blumberg asserting that the nation faced tangible existential peril if Tehran acquired nuclear weapons.
The post urged citizens to utilize the remaining two years of United States President Donald Trump’s term to eliminate the Iranian threat.
It suggested this action was necessary before a potentially less predictable U.S. administration took office.
Rivals Condemn Netanyahu Over Tel Aviv Blast Image
The digital campaign material drew immediate and fierce backlash from political rivals. They framed the stunt as a ploy in a tight race.
Democrats chairman Yair Golan took to X to denounce the publication. He demanded that the incumbent be barred from digital platforms.
Golan vowed that voters would replace those spreading panic on election day. Yashar chairman Gadi Eisenkot echoed those sentiments, labeling the post a hysterical attempt at voter manipulation.
Eisenkot accused the prime minister of threatening the public with mass destruction after failing to achieve the stated objectives of the conflict against Iran.
Security Chiefs Clash Over Iran Policy Before Election
Just hours before the image appeared, Defense Minister Israel Katz stated in an interview with public broadcaster Kan that Israel had not initiated an operation in Iran prior to the election. He noted that the military campaign to dismantle the regime in Tehran was already 80% to 90% complete.
Katz added that Israel was not planning an operation in Iran prior to the election, dismissing opposition claims to the contrary.
Polling for the 120-seat Knesset had been frozen under a legal blackout since Friday evening.
| Broadcaster Survey | Eisenkot-Backed Bloc Seats | Netanyahu Coalition Seats | Largest Party |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channel 12 | 56 | 50 | Yashar (22-23 seats) |
| Channel 13 | 54 | 50 | Yashar (22-23 seats) |
| Kan | 52 | 50 | Yashar (22-23 seats) |
As the country prepared for Tuesday’s voting under a proportional representation system requiring 61 seats for a majority, practical security measures tightened nationwide, and Eisenkot stated, Eisenkot accused the prime minister of threatening the public with mass destruction after failing to achieve the stated objectives of the conflict against Iran.