Channel 14 Staff Mock Party's Candidate List

Internal communications from Israel's Channel 14 reveal staff mocking the Likud party's candidate list for the upcoming 26th Knesset elections. A screenshot from a private WhatsApp group shows employees reacting to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to grant reserved spots on the party's slate to media figures closely aligned with him.

The conversation began with an employee asking for someone to perform the "shofar blowing" ritual for the month of Elul, noting the usual person was unavailable. Another employee responded, "There isn't one, they all moved to Likud," a comment that was met with dozens of laughing emojis from other staff members.

Subsequently, another employee shared a photo of three prominent Channel 14 presenters and commentators: Yaakov Bardugo, Yinon Magal, and Shimon Riklin, who are known for their close ties to Netanyahu and for promoting his messages. The employee captioned the image with the word "Choose."

Bardugo, a senior commentator, has long been considered Netanyahu's confidant and a key message coordinator. Also receiving reserved spots were Amir Aviv, chairman of the "Bithonimim" movement and a regular on Channel 14's "HaPatriotim" program, and bereaved father Itzik Bonzel, also a frequent participant on the channel. Additionally, lawyer David Peter from the Kohelet Forum, who has represented Likud Knesset members and promoted judicial reform, was also placed on the list and is a panelist on Channel 14.