Netanyahu shows AI visualisation of nuclear strike on Tel Aviv ahead of vote

AI visualisation of nuclear threat at the centre of pre-election campaign

Ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for Tuesday, 27 October, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu published an image created using artificial intelligence on the social network X. The picture depicts a massive mushroom cloud rising over Tel Aviv and a powerful explosion destroying buildings beneath it.

Prime Minister's argument: existential danger and a "window of time"

In an accompanying post, the head of government stated that the state faces a real existential threat from Iran.

“Держава Ізраїль перебуває у реальній та відчутній екзистенційній небезпеці. Якщо іранці отримають ядерну зброю, нічого більше не матиме значення”, – наголосив Нетаньягу. (The State of Israel is in a real and tangible existential danger. If the Iranians get nuclear weapons, nothing else will matter, Netanyahu emphasised.)

He added that there is now an opportunity to complete the necessary work in Iran, as “у нас є ще два роки правління Трампа, і невідомо, що станеться після цього – чи то Камала Гарріс, чи якийсь умовний мамадні” (we still have two years of Trump’s administration, and it is unknown what will happen after that – whether it is Kamala Harris or some hypothetical Mammadni).

“Це вікно часу, що залишилося у нас, щоб завершити роботу, необхідну для забезпечення нашого фізичного існування на наступні роки. Усі необхідні ресурси держави мають бути вкладені в це завдання”, – зазначив очільник уряду. (This is the window of time we have left to complete the work necessary to ensure our physical existence for the coming years. All necessary state resources must be invested in this task, the head of government noted.)

Criticism from the opposition: attempts to scare voters

According to The Jerusalem Post, the publication triggered a wave of criticism among opposition leaders. They accused the Prime Minister of attempting to frighten the electorate before the vote.

Yair Golan, head of the "Democrats" party, responded to Netanyahu's post by accusing him and his entourage of losing control as the election date approaches.

“У вівторок ми змінимо тих, хто сіє паніку, і повернемо Ізраїлю безпеку та здоровий глузд”, – заявив Голан. (On Tuesday, we will replace those who sow panic and return safety and common sense to Israel, Golan stated.)

The politician's reaction came against the backdrop of a heated debate regarding Israel's strategy in the confrontation with Iran, which has become one of the key topics of the last few days of the pre-election campaign.

Accusations of threatening mass destruction

The publication was also condemned by Gadi Eisenkot, head of the "Yashar!" party. According to him, Netanyahu is threatening Israelis with mass destruction because he failed to achieve the set goals in the war against Iran.