Netanyahu shares AI-generated nuclear blast image ahead of Israel election

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted an AI image showing an explosion of a nuclear bomb over Tel Aviv two days before Israel’s Oct. 27 election, and told voters they faced an existential threat from Iran, The Times of Israel reported.

“Published on Sunday, the picture depicts an enormous mushroom cloud over a city chock-a-block with buildings during an explosion. Netanyahu wrote on top of the photo a warning by Israeli political commentator Yuval Bloomberg, explaining that there is a danger to Israel in Iran possibly developing nuclear weapons.

“Everything else will be irrelevant if the Iranians get nukes,” the tweet said, noting Israel had “two years” with US President Donald Trump in office to deal with the threat.

The post was criticised by opposition leaders who said Netanyahu was appealing to fear to sway voters in the lead-up to the election.

Democrats party, said Netanyahu posted a photo of an atomic bomb over Tel Aviv and urged he be restricted from social media.

Yashar party head Gadi Eisenkot blasted the prime minister for lying and fearmongering and said the voters would give him the answer at the ballot box.

Israeli security is being debated in the campaign, with the Iran threat at the top of the agenda.