Zohar and Meridor Clash Over Israel's Future in Election Debate
Culture Minister Miki Zohar of the Likud party and former Ministry of Finance official Shaul Meridor engaged in a heated debate on various issues facing Israel, including the controversial "NezA" film, economic policy, and the integration of the ultra-Orthodox community, as part of Ynet's "Election Arena" series ahead of the 2026 elections.
On the "NezA" film controversy, Zohar suggested investigating whether Hamas was involved in its creation and called for the Shin Bet to identify any IDF personnel who participated, deeming it a betrayal of Israel. Meridor criticized the government's focus on the film, arguing it was a populist distraction from effective public diplomacy and that while the film's content was abhorrent, Israel should condemn it socially and ethically while upholding freedom of expression.
Regarding economic policy, Meridor accused the government of excessive borrowing, taking on debt for future generations without necessary spending cuts, and warned of a "third-world country" outcome if current trends continue, particularly concerning the ultra-Orthodox community's low participation in the workforce. Zohar countered by presenting positive economic data, including stock market growth, increased foreign investment, and low unemployment, attributing these successes to the government's management during wartime.
Zohar also criticized Meridor's political leanings, labeling him as "left-wing" and suggesting that former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, whom Meridor supports, would form a government with left-wing parties. Meridor, a scion of a prominent Likud family, argued that the current Likud party has abandoned its founding values, becoming a "pale shadow" of its former self, focused on power, prestige, and money rather than the principles of Ze'ev Jabotinsky.
Both politicians also shared personal anecdotes, with Meridor revealing his passion for playing soccer and Zohar describing himself as a spiritual person who visits the graves of righteous figures.
