Tough security and military talk sets tone of Israeli election campaign

Bragging about body counts, assassinations and destroying a city are not normal election tactics, but they are the centrepiece of a new campaign launched in Israel.

Benny Gantz, the main challenger to prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has started his campaign with a series of advertisements promoting his achievements as head of Israel’s military.

The approach foreshadows the tone of a campaign in which the major parties are likely to promote their security credentials and promise to be even tougher on Palestinians.

But the focus on security and military might could have ugly implications.

Listen to the report by Eric Tlozek on the ABC PM program.