News Reporter Slams 'Despicable' Netanyahu Supporters Amid Iron Dome Debate

A heated exchange erupted on social media between screenwriter Meni Yitzhak Assayag and Aviad Glickman, the legal affairs reporter for Channel 13 News, concerning the events of October 7th. Assayag questioned the effectiveness of the Iron Dome missile defense system during the initial hours of the Hamas attack, citing IDF investigations that indicated only a 50% interception rate in the first four hours, compared to the usual 90% in routine times. He suggested that the operators might have been affected by a 'coma' imposed on security forces by 'traitorous draft dodgers.'

Glickman strongly rebuked Assayag's comments, calling the group of people supporting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, referred to as 'Bibiism,' a 'despicable cult of despicable people.' He explicitly stated, 'People like that are not my brothers and I don't want them to be my brothers.'

The public dispute comes as Assayag himself revealed he is facing severe threats and messages online. He shared a post containing serious threats against him and his family, and stated he has hired a lawyer and a private investigator to identify those allegedly behind the menacing and offensive posts.

Assayag has become a prominent voice for the right on social media in recent years, frequently commenting on political issues and criticizing opponents of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He was appointed to the Israeli Council for Cinematography in 2023 but resigned after two months.