Channel 12 Reporter Slams Channel 14 Journalist Over Criticism of Ex-IDF Chief

Ilan Lukatch, a reporter for Channel 12's news division, has publicly criticized Moti Castel, the political desk chief for Channel 14. The dispute arose after Castel aired a report on former IDF Chief of Staff and "Yashar" party leader Gadi Eisenkot, in which Castel accused Eisenkot of leading "containment and weakness" in the army for years. Lukatch responded via X (formerly Twitter), calling Castel a "gut worm" who received an exemption from military service for "his Torah is his art." Lukatch also stated that Castel's claims were directed at someone who "lost his combat son" and that "containment and weakness in the face of the parasite sector must end in 34 days." The article also includes recent poll data showing Eisenkot's "Yashar" party polling at 23 seats, ahead of the ruling party with 20 seats. Other parties mentioned include "Achva" (13 seats), "Yisrael Beiteinu" and "HaDemocratim" (9 seats each), "Yahadut HaTorah" (8 seats), "Shas" and "HaReshima HaMesheket" (7 seats each), "Otzma Yehudit" (6 seats), "HaTzionut HaDatit-Zehut" and "Ra'am" (5 seats each), and "Amcha Yisrael" and "Hendel-Zalicha" (4 seats each). Parties failing to pass the electoral threshold include "Blue and White" and "HaTzibur HaHaredi." The bloc breakdown shows the right-wing bloc with 50 seats and the change bloc with 54 seats, with Arab parties securing 12 seats.