Israeli Broadcaster Calls on Bereaved Families to Apologize to Netanyahu

Media personality Yinon Magal, a host on Channel 14 and radio station 103FM, called on relatives of fallen soldiers and former hostages to apologize to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Magal made these remarks ahead of the three-year anniversary of the October 7th Hamas attack. He criticized those involved in writing the book "Benjamin Netanyahu, Master of Abandonment, The Legacy of a Hostage Abandoner." During a radio program, Magal launched an aggressive monologue against the book's authors, reading out their names and labeling them "despicable people." He suggested their only chance for atonement was to vote for the "Mahal" (forgive us) list in the upcoming elections. Magal concluded by stating that those named would be remembered for eternity on the pillory, calling them "the most despicable people living in the State of Israel" for falsely accusing Netanyahu of being "Master of Abandonment."

Among those named were survivors of captivity and bereaved families. The organization "255," representing hostages and their families, condemned Magal's statements as crossing a red line and constituting abuse of individuals who have already suffered immense loss. The organization emphasized that these families are not indebted to anyone for forgiveness and that using their pain for political gain is a desecration of their memory. Several individuals directly responded to Magal's comments. Ofri Bibas, whose wife and children were murdered, stated that the only people she would ask for forgiveness from are her murdered family members. Ilan Eshal, whose daughter was killed, sarcastically asked Magal if he was doing it right by apologizing to Netanyahu for his daughter's death. Gil Dickman, a cousin of a murdered hostage, posted a sarcastic message about needing to apologize to Netanyahu and vote "Mahal."

Magal's radio partner, Ben Caspit, posted a response listing some of the individuals Magal claimed should apologize. These included former hostages and family members of those killed or abducted on October 7th. Caspit pointed out to Magal that these were families of October 7th victims, to which Magal responded that he would make an exception for them. Gadi Eisenkot, Chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, attacked Magal's remarks as another low point for Netanyahu's "poison machine," accusing them of mocking and humiliating grieving families and using their loss as a political tool while Netanyahu remains silent.