Eisenkot's Yashar warns Sport 5 to avoid making Netanyahu's presence 'prominent' during soccer game

The party also wants production, editing, and broadcasting teams to be instructed in advance to switch camera shots or cut away from a segment in real time when necessary.

Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party sent an urgent warning letter to Sport 5 CEO Tomer Turgeman on Monday following reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to attend that evening's soccer match between Beitar Jerusalem and Maccabi Tel Aviv at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem.

The letter, which was also sent to Likud's legal adviser, attorney Ilan Bombach, calls on the Sport 5 to take precautions to ensure that its broadcast of the match and related coverage are not used as a platform for election campaigning.

The match comes just eight days before Israel's October 27 Knesset elections.

The Israeli soccer league administration had previously warned teams against political involvement ahead of the elections.

Yashar argues that the timing of Netanyahu's expected appearance, just eight days before the elections, warrants particular caution. The letter clarifies that the party is not seeking to prevent Netanyahu from attending the match or broadcasters from reporting on his presence.

However, it calls on the channel to avoid "making his presence prominent" through prolonged close-up shots or by providing a platform for speeches, greetings, or campaign-related messages.

Yashar: When necessary, cut away from Netanyahu, switch cameras

The party also wants production, editing, and broadcasting teams to be instructed in advance to switch camera shots or cut away from a segment in real time if, in its view, the coverage crosses the line into prohibited election propaganda.

In the letter, the party's attorneys cite Section 5 of Israel's Elections Law (Methods of Propaganda), arguing that restrictions in place ahead of elections require broadcasters to prevent their coverage from being used for campaign purposes.

The letter nevertheless emphasizes that the party is not seeking to interfere with "legitimate news or sports coverage" of the prime minister's visit.

"We request your confirmation that you will instruct the relevant production, editing, and broadcasting personnel in advance to take reasonable measures to prevent the broadcast of prohibited election propaganda," the letter states.

Yashar warned that if it believes there is a genuine risk of prohibited election propaganda being broadcast, it will consider filing an urgent request for an injunction with the chairman of the Central Elections Committee (CEC).

Eisenkot's party seeks not only to prevent the broadcast of speeches or greetings by Netanyahu, but also to ensure he does not receive disproportionate exposure through close-up shots or prolonged camera focus during the match.