Shas activist: "witches plan" has the publicity law

Whoever thought that the Shas movement will exhaust the preparations for the Knesset elections by campaigning and publicity only - is wrong. It turns out that behind the scenes practitioners are working, who defines themselves as those who 'care' and will do all they can for the success of the movement, though they are not officially active.

One of them, an attorney by profession, decided to follow the media and make the most of the procedures of those who violate the terms and election laws. Thus, whilst within Shas there is a firm decision not to take notice of MK Chaim Amsalem, these activists are working alone and take strides where they see necessary.

Following one of them brought upon the trap of a program called 'Mystic Time'-a program broadcasted on Channel 10 in the afternoon.

Among other things, the moderator brings readings in coffee and pendulums, and other experts in mysticism, powered on different people.

"Two weeks ago the discussion in the program began on MK Chaim Amsalem, during which the 'witches' are preset at the studio and analyze his chances for success in the elections. The moderator brought a speech of fiery and blatant publicity on behalf of MK Amsalem", says the attorney who is leading the follow up, who requests anonymity. The attorney hurried to pass on the message to the second authority that they are violating the election terms.

The complaint was accepted to the surprise of all involved.

He wrote:

"Law Section 5 of the Election Law (Publicity Methods) תשי"ט - 1959 (hereinafter 'publicity law') states that 'according to the statement in any other law, on the radio or television broadcasts there will not be an election publicity 60 days prior before to the elections".

Also I direct your attention to the provisions of Section 46 (a) (3) of the Second Authority, תש"ן - 1990 according to which 'authorized transmissions will not transmit propaganda broadcasts that include party publicity except election publicity permitted by law.

"Last Thursday, 22/11/2012, Channel 10 broadcasted a program 'Mystic Time' hosted by Gali Zohar. The program is a significant marketing program. Against the provisions of the law, mainly referred to above, at 13:00 at the opening remarks to the program by Mrs. Zohar above, a fiery and blatant publicity speech on behalf of MK Chaim Amsalem was given. Moreover, the program dealt with large parts thereof predicting the success of Chaim Amsalem in the upcoming Knesset elections - by witchcraft.

"I emphasize that last Thursday was the first day of the limitation prescribed in section 5 of publicity.

I request that the appropriate instructions will be transferred to the broadcasting organizations in order to ensure that these incidents do not reoccur. I also believe that as a regulator of the Second Authority, particularly in light of the marketing nature of the plan, the authority must examine carefully assess whether the program moderator received payment for this program."

An answer did not take long in coming.

In response to your letter concerning the program 'Mystic Time', broadcasted on Channel 10 on 22/11/2012, I hereby answer as follows:

1. The broadcasting subject to your inquiry was checked by the authorities and found that the election propaganda is prohibited under the provisions of Section 46 of the Second Authority, Date of issue - 1990 and Article 5 of the Election Law (Propaganda Methods) Tshi"t - 1959.

2. Accordingly, the authority announced the franchise holder in Israel 10 that the transmission is prohibited propaganda by these provisions and gave a warning that such cases should not be repeated, if not then the authority will consider taking proceedings on violation in accordance with the authority."

The letter was signed by Attorney Hila Weitzman Weiss, Deputy Court Advisor at the second authority.

From today, it is likely that the hosts and broadcasters will think twice before going for an independent election campaign which is not valid.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!