Radio Host Slams First Lady's Remarks on War Hero

A heated radio exchange erupted over comments made by Sara Netanyahu, wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, targeting war hero and Democratic Party chairman Yair Golan. During a broadcast on Radio 103fm, host Eyal Berkovich sharply criticized Netanyahu's remarks, which were aired the previous night on Channel 14. Berkovich questioned why Netanyahu would "defame" Golan, calling her comments "ugly" and "exaggerated."

Co-host Arel Segall, from Channel 14, distanced himself from Berkovich's strong language but agreed that Netanyahu's statements were "unnecessary." Segall acknowledged that Netanyahu likely has a personal grievance with Golan stemming from a past incident at a hair salon, and also recalled Golan's past controversial statements about IDF soldiers. However, Segall emphasized Golan's actions on October 7th, when he went to the front lines to fight, making Netanyahu's criticisms inappropriate and regrettable.

Netanyahu's initial comments, made during an interview on Channel 14, alluded to Golan's early arrival in the Gaza border area on October 7th, suggesting he was prepared while others, including the Prime Minister, were not yet informed. Golan, who independently traveled south that day and rescued six young people from the Supernova music festival under fire, responded by sending a legal warning letter demanding a NIS 2.5 million apology and compensation for festival survivors.

Netanyahu countered with her own legal letter, demanding Golan retract defamatory publications, issue a public apology within 24 hours, and pay her NIS 1 million in damages, threatening immediate libel proceedings if he failed to comply.