Channel 14 Host Defends Netanyahu, Blasts Security Chiefs Over Oct. 7 Failures

Shimon Riklin, a media personality and host on Channel 14, launched a fierce attack against Israeli security leaders, positioning himself as a defender of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a pointed social media post, Riklin dismissed accusations against Netanyahu regarding the October 7th failures as "blood libels," directly blaming Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, former head of Military Intelligence Aharon Haliva, and IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi.

Riklin asserted that no one in Israel, including Ronen Bar, received advance warning of a general Hamas attack. He heavily criticized Bar's actions prior to the massacre, claiming the Shin Bet chief was preoccupied with letters against Minister Ben-Gvir, briefings against settlers, and protecting draft-dodging friends. Riklin described Haliva as "arrogant" and Halevi as "sleeping standing up," trusting his subordinates.

The Channel 14 host contended that the Shin Bet blindly relied on Egyptian intelligence, which promoted a scenario of calm. "Ronen Bar swallowed it like a fool," Riklin stated, adding that in protocols submitted to the State Comptroller, Netanyahu repeatedly asked security officials about the situation in Gaza, and they consistently responded that Hamas desired a ceasefire.

Riklin questioned why the Prime Minister, Defense Minister, and Air Force commander were not updated as "signs of something unusual happening in Gaza multiplied." He also revealed a disturbing detail from the morning of the attack, alleging that a senior Shin Bet official told another senior Shin Bet official that it was a drill.

Riklin concluded by criticizing the "limitless audacity" of the security leadership and summarized the "blood libels" against Netanyahu. This is not the first time Riklin has defended the Prime Minister and attacked security officials; he recently criticized former IDF Chief of Staff and MK Gadi Eisenkot for a controversial post that appeared to blame Netanyahu for the October 7th attack.