Journalist Apologizes Amid Controversy Over Remarks About Hostage Families
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Journalist Gideon Oku apologized on Wednesday to the family of hostage Yarden Bibas amid a controversy surrounding remarks by journalist Yinon Magal. Magal had accused individuals involved in a book titled 'Mr. Abandonment' of fabricating a "blood libel" against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Magal later apologized, stating he did not intend to harm hostage families and acknowledged a mistake in his clarification.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Journalist Gideon Oku apologized to the Bibas family for remarks made by Yinon Magal.
- Yinon Magal accused individuals in the book 'Mr. Abandonment' of a 'blood libel' against Netanyahu.
- Magal claimed the controversy was politically motivated and compared it to a 'blood libel' against Netanyahu.
- Magal stated he did not intend to harm hostage families and acknowledged a mistake.
- Magal had previously called participants in the book 'despicable people'.
Journalist Gideon Oku apologized on Wednesday to Ofri Bibas, sister of Yarden Bibas, and her family for recent remarks made by fellow journalist Yinon Magal. Oku addressed the controversy on the radio program 103fm, stating, "I ask forgiveness from you and from all of you."
Magal's comments, made during a previous broadcast, targeted individuals who participated in a book titled 'Mr. Abandonment,' accusing them of fabricating a "blood libel" against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Magal suggested that the only way these individuals could atone was by voting for Netanyahu, calling them "despicable people."
In response to the backlash, Magal stated that the entire incident was politically motivated and compared it to the "blood libel" against Netanyahu. He claimed that journalist Ben Caspit "committed a despicable act" by igniting the controversy, knowing it was false. Magal also asserted that he had intended to exclude the families of hostages from his remarks and acknowledged that he should have clarified his position earlier, admitting it was a mistake and that he never intended to harm the families.
Magal had previously read out names of individuals who participated in the book, labeling them as "despicable" and suggesting their only path to redemption was to vote for Netanyahu. He concluded by stating that those whose names he read would be remembered for eternity on the "gallows of shame" as the "most vile people in the State of Israel" for perpetuating a "blood libel" against Netanyahu, who was called 'Mr. Abandonment.'
