The Likud primary: Trolling as a way to gain support – opinion

Israel's governing Likud party primary has transformed into a contest of "grotesquerie," where candidates employ provocative online tactics to capture attention. Defense Minister Israel Katz opens with an AI-generated campaign song featuring explosive sounds, while Education Minister Yoav Kisch has also embraced the AI-song trend. Idit Silman is noted for flooding social media with content, and Hadar Muchtar, before being blocked from running, focused on leveraging TikTok virality for political gain.

The strategy behind this "bad taste" is functional: candidates vie for recognition in a crowded field. Viral clips, generated quickly and cheaply, travel more effectively through WhatsApp groups than serious discussions on education or defense. This approach allows ministers to remain in the public conversation without having to account for the government's actual achievements.

The article contends that this "spectacle" masks deeper issues. Despite inflicting significant damage on Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, the "total victory" promised by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains elusive. Hamas's disarmament is distant, the northern threat from Hezbollah persists, and Iran's nuclear program, though set back, still poses a ballistic missile threat with enriched uranium remaining in the country. Public opinion reflects this uncertainty, with only 15% believing Israel won the latest war against Iran.

Domestically, the war's costs are mounting. Since October 7, 968 Israeli soldiers have been killed, and the Defense Ministry's Rehabilitation Department is treating a growing number of wounded, with 65% seeking help for psychological distress or PTSD. The article also points to unresolved domestic issues, such as the festering haredi draft question and rising political and social polarization, offering little "cinematic material" compared to the online antics.

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