Shaked seeks to make political point with 'Fascism' fragrance ad
The message of the New Right party's latest campaign video appears to be lost on many as bizarre clip - showing the justice minister seductively holding a bottle of 'Fascism' perfume - goes viral
An election campaign video starring Israel’s right-wing justice minister spoofs perfume ads to sell her political priorities, but has a strong whiff of muddled message given the fragrance is labeled “Fascism.”
The intended meaning of the ad—three weeks before the elections—is lost on many, especially those who don't speak Hebrew and just see the word fascism in English, without being able to understand the voice-over.
In the spot, Ayelet Shaked walks slowly down a staircase, her hair gently tossed by a breeze, as a female narrator whispers seductively in Hebrew: “Separation of powers”, “Restraining the Supreme Court”.
Shaked is frequently critical of Israel’s top court as being too liberal and interventionist, but these and other views of her New Right party have been roundly criticized by leftists.
Some, the commercial implies, may see her views as fiercely nationalistic: former Prime Minister Ehud Barak once called some of her comments about reforming the Supreme Court “proto-fascist”.
But, Shaked says, holding the perfume bottle with its label: “To me, it smells like democracy”.
Reaction on social media to the ad, sponsored by the New Right, ranged from “great” to “strange”.
“This is one of the most bizarre election ads you have ever seen ... Viktor Orban on steroids,” Barak Ravid, the diplomatic correspondent for Channel 13 TV, tweeted, in a reference to Hungary’s far-right prime minister.
Under Orban, Hungary passed a law in December to set up courts overseen by the justice minister, a move critics said would allow political interference in judicial matters.
Shaked’s New Right party, which she leads along with Education Minister Naftali Bennett, is part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition. It has been sliding in opinion polls and is forecast to win about six seats in the 120-member parliament in the April 9 election.
