Bibas Slams Magal, Calls Him Netanyahu's 'Messenger'

Ofri Bibas, sister of hostage survivor Yarden Bibas and sister-in-law of Shiri Bibas, has sharply criticized commentator Yinon Magal for his remarks against families of hostages and murder victims who have criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Speaking on radio station 103FM, Bibas stated that Magal's comments were intended to deflect public discussion from the government's responsibility for the failures leading up to and during the October 7th massacre.

Bibas argued that Magal acts as a messenger for Netanyahu, articulating messages the Prime Minister cannot voice himself. "This is how the Prime Minister's term is built. We know very well that Yinon Magal is the messenger, he says the things the Prime Minister cannot say himself, so he sends messengers to speak on his behalf, so that he can then disavow their statements," she said. She believes this tactic aims to create division and fear, preventing people from asking critical questions.

On the third anniversary of the October 7th massacre, Bibas emphasized the need to remember the victims and focus on the government's performance over the past three years. She stated that the current situation is worse in many respects than it was before, and the government has no real achievements to show besides completing its term. Bibas noted that while she receives public support in person, she faces significant backlash and "poison" on social media when she criticizes the government.

Magal, during his program on 103FM the previous evening, read out the names of former hostages and relatives of hostages and murder victims who contributed to a book titled "The Master of Abandonment - The Legacy of the One Who Abandoned the Hostages." He described the participants as "despicable people" who would only be forgiven if they voted for Netanyahu's party, Likud (Mahl), in the upcoming elections. Magal stated that those who participated in the campaign against Netanyahu, accusing him of abandoning hostages and wishing for their deaths, would be remembered with shame.

Bibas firmly defended the use of the term "abandonment" (פקרה) to describe the government's actions. She asserted that Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas were alive for at least the first 15 days after their abduction, during which time the return of hostages was not even a war aim. "This is called abandonment in my opinion," she stated, adding that the state, army, and systems collapsed that day, leaving people to die. She invited Magal and other government officials to visit an exhibition titled "The Space That Remains" and apologize to those who truly deserve it.