Israeli election campaign turns ugly with AI-generated attacks

Polls indicate Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc is in a tight race with his main rival, Gadi Eisenkot. Eisenkot recently posted a birthday wish for Netanyahu that included AI-generated characters, one of whom alluded to theories about Netanyahu's alleged role in aiding Hamas. Netanyahu's campaign has also employed AI, including a video that sparked outrage over its alleged resemblance to Eisenkot's son, who was killed in Gaza in 2023. Netanyahu's camp has also used AI to highlight fears of a coalition involving Arab-Israeli parties, with billboards stating "The Right or Palestine" appearing across the country. Critics, such as Thair Abu Ras, head of the Forum for Regional Thinking at the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute, have labeled these tactics as incitement, particularly from Netanyahu's camp. Additionally, racialized comments have been made against Eisenkot, who is of Moroccan Jewish descent.