Channel 14 Docuseries Criticized for Bias Against Gadi Eisenkot

A new documentary series on Channel 14, titled "Eisenkot," has drawn sharp criticism for what is described as a biased and misleading portrayal of former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot. The article argues that the series, which aired its first episode on a recent evening, functions more as a pre-election smear campaign than genuine journalism.

Despite the channel's creative naming of the series, the author points out an immediate factual inaccuracy in the promotional material, which incorrectly stated Eisenkot was from Ofakim when he was born in Tiberias and raised in Eilat. This early misstep, the article suggests, foreshadowed a "show of lies and venom disguised as investigative journalism."

The documentary's core argument, according to the author, is that Eisenkot's tenure as IDF Chief of Staff (2015-2019) directly led to the October 7th Hamas attacks. This narrative, presented through interviews with channel employees and other figures, allegedly downplays Eisenkot's achievements and exaggerates the "danger" of him potentially becoming prime minister.

Notable figures like former Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon and the "Yashar" party (likely referring to the "Yisrael Beiteinu" party, though the article uses a different name) have publicly denounced the series. Ya'alon dismissed it as "propaganda," while the "Yashar" party stated it was a "show of lies and venom" during a time for introspection. The article also highlights a controversial statement by Eisenkot from 2016, where he expressed reluctance to see a soldier open fire on a 13-year-old girl armed with scissors or a knife, a stance the author implies Channel 14 views with disdain.

The author concludes that Channel 14's approach is characteristic of "bullying the weak" and that the series is a "pretender" to serious journalism, contrasting it with the approach of other media outlets that are willing to ask difficult questions.