Likud Beytenu, Kadima and the Tzipi Livni Party removed images of IDF soldiers
from their advertisements on Monday, following a ruling by the Central Election
Committee.
Committee chairman Judge Elyakim Rubinstein decided the
parties may not use soldiers in their ads, following complaints.
The
Election Law forbids parties from using the IDF in its campaign in a way that
makes it seem as if the military belongs to or supports the party.
The
committee also banned Bayit Yehudi from using soldiers in its campaign
advertisements last month, and is investigating complaints that the party has
not stopped doing so.
Also Monday, Meretz removed the image of 8-year-old
Na’ama Margolis from their ads, after the Central Election Committee received a
complaint from her mother, Hadassah Margolis, who did not know her daughter
would be appearing in the campaign.
The Margolis family became well known
after haredi men harassed and spit on Na’ama on way to her school in Bet
Shemesh.
In addition, Am Shalem agreed to remove a photo of Shas
spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef from its advertisements, after the latter
party complained to the committee.
According to Shas, Am Shalem ads on
the haredi news website Hadrei Haredim “humiliate and disrespect our great
rabbi.”
Am Shalem said it would consult with the Central Election Committee
should it plan to use Yosef’s image again.