Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had a live election speech cut midway through broadcast as officials ruled the content of the address broke election rules.
Mr Sharon, who is embroiled in a corruption scandal that has hurt his re-election chances, claims he is the target of an "abominable conspiracy" aimed at toppling him.
Allegations of financial misconduct surround Mr Sharon and his two sons and have turned the January 28th general election campaign into an open race as opinion polls show support for his front-running Likud plummeting.
In an unprecedented move, election officials ordered Israeli broadcasters on Thursday to cut short the live transmission of Mr Sharon's speech, deeming it too political after he pointed the finger at his main rival, Labour Party leader Mr Amram Mitzna.
Mr Sharon castigated centre-left Labour and its supporters, charging that for political motives they had spread "vicious gossip" about him, his family and his right-wing Likud party.
"What we have here is an abominable conspiracy to replace a prime minister through a campaign made up of lies," Mr Sharon said.
Shortly after the remarks, Israel's election commission ordered media to pull the plug on their broadcasts halfway through Mr Sharon's 50-minute appearance.
The decision was a new embarrassment for Mr Sharon, who just weeks ago appeared to be headed for easy victory over the inexperienced Mr Mitzna.
The scandal focuses on funding irregularities in Sharon's 1999 Likud election campaign and includes accusations of wrongdoing over a $1.5 million loan from South African businessman Mr Cyril Kern. Israeli law bans political funding from abroad.
The money, according to news reports, was put up as collateral for a loan used to cover the return of illegal campaign funds, which Mr Sharon had told police he paid back by taking out a mortgage on his ranch.
The choice voters make between the hawkish Mr Sharon and his dovish challenger could determine the course of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Mr Sharon favors a tough military approach. Mr Mitzna offers an unconditional resumption of peace talks.