The Ramla-Lod Regional Election Committee rejected the petition filed by the Lawyers for the Promotion of Proper Governance association against the Lod Municipality, the Lod Economic Society, and Mayor Attorney Yair Revivo, and approved the continued broadcast of a video promoting the city, intended to encourage families, investors, and businesses to come to Lod.
In addition, the committee ordered the petitioner to pay legal costs in the amount of 7,500 NIS.
The petition sought to prevent the video from being broadcast, claiming that the mere appearance of the mayor in the video supposedly constituted election propaganda. However, after examining all the claims, Judge Hanna Kitsis ruled that in this case the mayor's participation was for clear professional reasons intended to increase the exposure and effectiveness of the campaign, and that the exception allowing his participation was met.
The ruling also noted that the data presented to the committee showed that the version with the mayor's participation was significantly effective in reaching the target audiences, which strengthened the professional basis for the decision to include him in the video.
The mayor, Attorney Yair Revivo, welcomed the decision: "This is an important and precedent-setting victory for Lod and for all local government in Israel. The Elections Committee has clearly determined that a video aimed at marketing the city, attracting new residents, businesses and investments is not election propaganda.".
""Unfortunately, we were once again forced to deal with an unnecessary petition from an association that turned the filing of petitions against local authorities into a method of action, while wasting public time and valuable resources. The court rejected the claims, accepted our position, and even ordered the petitioner to pay the costs.""
Revivo added that for three weeks, the municipality was forced to deal with an interim order that damaged the city's marketing campaign, precisely at a time when Lod is experiencing an unprecedented development boom and is leading Israel in construction starts per capita.
""We will not allow the courts to be turned into a tool for intimidating authorities who seek to advance their cities. Lod will continue to proudly present its achievements, its excellent education system, its urban renewal, its new employment centers, and the developing quality of life in the city. The attempt to silence this voice has failed.""
The Lod Municipality noted that "the ruling constitutes a clear message to local authorities across the country: promoting a city, attracting a quality population, encouraging investments and presenting municipal achievements are not election propaganda, but an integral part of the duty of a local authority working for the future of its residents.".
""Local authorities have the right to promote their cities through professional campaigns, even when the mayor participates in them as part of the municipal marketing and branding efforts.".
