Israeli Journalist Demands Apologies From Hostage Families to Netanyahu

Israeli journalist Inon Magal, a host on Channel 14 and radio station 103FM, demanded that survivors of Hamas captivity and relatives of those killed in captivity apologize to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. Magal made the demand on air on October 6, the day before the third anniversary of the Hamas attack. Magal, a known supporter of Netanyahu, voiced his demand while discussing the book "Binyamin Netanyahu, Mr. Negligence: The Legacy of One Who Abandoned the Hostages." He called the book's authors "despicable people" and insisted they apologize to the prime minister and vote for the Likud party. Magal stated that the only way to atone for their "despicable deeds" and involvement in the book was to vote for Likud, using the party's Knesset list designation "MAHAL." He declared that these individuals would be "shamed forever" and had "slandered" Netanyahu. The list Magal read included survivors of captivity and families who lost loved ones, such as Ofri Bibas, sister of hostage Yarden Bibas, whose wife and two young children were killed in captivity. Bibas responded that she would only ask for forgiveness from her deceased sister-in-law and nephews. Eyal Eshel, father of fallen soldier Roni Eshel, sarcastically asked Magal if he was sure he was saying the right thing after Eshel stated he wanted to apologize to Netanyahu for his daughter's death on Netanyahu's watch. Gil Dickmann, cousin of Carmel Gat, who was killed in captivity, questioned if Magal wanted former hostages to return to Gaza and for families to apologize and vote Likud, calling the current government a "criminal gang blackmailing its victims." The list also included Nili Margalit, Avi Marziano, Einav Zangauker, Yael Adar, Maayan Sherman, Hadas Calderon, Ilana Kaminka, Snir Dan, and Reuma Kedem, all relatives of hostages or victims. When fellow host Ben Caspit noted that Magal had included names familiar to many Israeli families, Magal agreed to exclude them, though the list had already been read in full. The organization "255," representing hostages and their families, condemned Magal's remarks as crossing a line and constituting "direct mockery" of those who paid a high price, especially before the anniversary of October 7. They emphasized that families of the abducted do not owe anyone an apology and that using their pain for political gain is an insult. Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar party, called Magal's show "nightmarish" and criticized the timing and nature of the attack on grieving families, accusing Netanyahu's envoys of using sorrow as a political tool.