The Likud primary: Trolling as a way to gain support – opinion
War and destruction plague the nation while politicians try to ‘boom boom boom’ the consciousness of this away. Israel suffers from a governing culture that is only skilled at projecting power
Israel's governing-party primary has degenerated into a race for grotesquerie. Defense Minister Israel Katz began his campaign with an AI-generated song featuring explosive sound effects. Respectable former IDF pilot Yoav Kisch now employs trolling tactics. Other candidates flood social media with attempts at grace. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to block her from running prompted Hadar Muchtar, who has previously sought TikTok virality, to pitch her candidacy directly at young Israelis using social media platforms.
The use of cringe-worthy clips and artificial intelligence in political campaigns serves a purpose: to gain recognition amidst a crowded field. Candidates can maintain visibility through viral content without having to deliver substantive policy arguments. While the government has successfully defended itself against external threats, it has failed to achieve a "total victory" in the ongoing conflict.
Only 15% of people surveyed believe Israel has won the war against Iran. The psychological and human costs of the war are still emerging, with over 9,000 Israeli soldiers killed since October 7.
Domestically, the government has struggled with issues such as high murder rates, the ultra-Orthodox draft question, political and social polarization, and a declining economy. The cost of living has risen significantly since the beginning of the government's term. Additionally, a brain drain has occurred, with approximately 90,000 Israelis leaving the country annually since 2023, primarily consisting of skilled professionals such as doctors, engineers, and academics.
Despite the chaos, there are positive signs, such as a solid and resilient economy and exceptional IDF tactical achievements. However, these do not automatically translate into a safer, more cohesive, or better-governed country. The "boom, boom, boom" campaign strategy reflects a governing culture that prioritizes synthetic images of strength over substantive policy. Netanyahu's inability to distance himself from this culture of trolling reveals the challenges faced by his party in recovering moderate right-wing voters.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
