Likud election headquarters came under heavy criticism after one of its campaign videos made a link between Israeli workers and Hamas, the Palestinian political group that Israel – along with the US and UK - labels a terrorist organization.
The characters in the ad, members of a so-called ‘Victims of Bibi’ support group, complain they can no longer swindle the public thanks to government reforms initiated by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. ‘Bibi’ is the prime minister’s nickname.
In one part, an employee with the Israeli Broadcasting Authority
says she can longer take money for nothing due to the elimination
of the TV levy.
"I am here because of Bibi,” the actor says. “What
can we say, us broadcast authority collectors; from whom will we
steal money for no reason?"
Another portrays a mobile phone executive who is upset because he no longer can overcharge customers. A tea distributor complains that he can no longer earn money for doing very little.
Then, a Hamas terrorist speaks up, saying that he too was part
the support group meeting because of Netanyahu.
After the actor says “I am also here because of Bibi.”
The support group members offer him comfort, saying, “We love
you, Mustafa!”
The video elicited a strong reaction from many corners of Israeli
society.
National Union Chairman Avi Nissenkorn rebuked Likud for an
advertisement that lumps together “workers and murderous
terrorists,” Ynet News reported.
“This is an infuriating position which has no place in
Israeli discourse,” Nissenkorn railed. “We must condemn
this phenomenon, and the Likud and its chairman must apologize to
all Israeli citizens."
The Ashdod Port Union said the Israeli leader, who makes a
personal appearance in the video at the end, should be
“ashamed.”
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Shelly Yachimovich, a parliamentarian with the Zionist Union party took to Facebook to express her feelings, saying, "The clip distributed by the Likud today of the supposed 'reforms' it implemented, which starred Netanyahu himself, is a despicable and unforgivable attack ad on workers.”
In response to the public outcry, Likud, which pulled the ad,
apologized in a statement: "This was an advertisement which
covered several of the government's achievements with a humorous
tone for the Purim holiday. There was no intention to compare
anyone to Hamas or to hurt the many dedicated workers.
“The clip will no longer be screened and we apologize if anyone
was offended," it said.