Netanyahu Concerned as Likud Accuses Nir Barkat of Attacking Prime Minister

Deep frustration and anger are brewing within the Likud party's leadership over what they perceive as a sharp attack from a surprising source: the popular news page "Push." The ruling party is directing its ire partly at Economy Minister Nir Barkat, whose family holds a stake in "Push." "Push is tearing us apart, and Barkat isn't publicly distancing himself from it," a Likud source stated critically, pointing to the page's recent shift towards attacking Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and showing favorable coverage to his main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, as well as to Avigdor Lieberman.

The internal turmoil stems from the ownership of "Push" by BRM, a company co-owned by brothers Nir and Eli Barkat. Although financial press reports from two months prior indicated the company was selling its stake, the transaction has not yet been finalized. News 12 also noted a history of tension between Netanyahu and Barkat, recalling the Prime Minister's active opposition to Barkat in the last Likud primaries, which led to Barkat's lower placement on the party's Knesset list.

Nir Barkat, who has previously claimed no influence over "Push's" content, declined to comment. Moti Sharf, Barkat's partner in the page, asserted that they have no ability to intervene in content decisions and estimated the share transfer would be completed after the Sukkot holiday.

Separately, Barkat is also making headlines in the economic sphere. Despite strong opposition from professional staff within his ministry, the minister is leaning towards approving the sale of the shipping company "Zim" to the German giant "Hapag-Lloyd" and the fund "PIM" for approximately $4.2 billion. In preparation for forming an official stance supporting the deal, Barkat has instructed his team to hold further meetings with the buyers' representatives immediately after the holidays.