Channel 14 Host Sparks Outrage With Attacks on Bereaved Families

Channel 14 host Yinon Magal ignited a firestorm on Tuesday, the day before the October 7th attacks, by launching a scathing verbal assault on dozens of hostage survivors, bereaved parents, and relatives of hostages who contributed to a book criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Magal, speaking on his radio show, labeled these individuals "abominable and base people" and suggested their only path to atonement was to vote against Netanyahu. He specifically targeted the Bibas family, stating that they should apologize to Netanyahu if they were fabricating falsehoods.

Magal read out the names of numerous individuals who participated in the book, "Mar HaPikra" (roughly translated as "Lord of Abandonment"), which critiques the Prime Minister. Among those named were hostage survivors Nili Margalit, Adina Moshe, and Clara Marman, as well as parents and relatives of those killed or taken hostage, including Einav Tsengauker, mother of hostage Matan; Ilana Kaminka, mother of Lt. Yanai; and Oferi Bibas, sister of hostage Yarden Bibas and aunt to Ariel and Kfir. Magal concluded by stating these individuals would be remembered for infamy and were the "basest people living in Israel" for accusing Netanyahu of abandoning them.

Oferi Bibas responded directly to Magal's comments, stating, "The only ones I will ask for forgiveness from are Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir," referring to her sister-in-law and two nephews who were killed in captivity. Opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned Magal as a "hater of Israel and an internal traitor," while Yair Golan, Chairman of the Democrats party, called for Magal's immediate suspension from his radio program, describing the attack as an "unfathomable moral low."

Other political figures also reacted strongly. Rafi Ben Shitrit, who lost his son, called Magal a "despicable mouthpiece" of the government. The Yisrael Beiteinu party stated that Magal's remarks were another "nightmare show" from Netanyahu's "poison machine," aimed at mocking and humiliating those who have suffered immense loss. The reactions underscore the deep divisions and intense political discourse surrounding the aftermath of the October 7th attacks and the government's handling of the crisis.