Likud Accuses Channel 12 of Spreading False Propaganda Against Netanyahu

The Likud party has accused Channel 12 of broadcasting false political propaganda aimed at undermining the right-wing government and establishing a left-wing government that would create a Palestinian state. Likud claims Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received no prior warning of the planned attack from Gaza, a claim they assert was supported by former President Trump, current Biden advisor Brett McGurk, and the governments of Egypt and the UAE.

According to official protocols submitted to the State Comptroller, security officials repeatedly stated that Hamas was deterred and seeking a settlement. Intelligence reports provided to the Prime Minister indicated that on May 31, Hamas was seeking new arenas to maintain stability in Gaza. A July 23 report identified the immediate threat of escalation as coming from Lebanon, not Gaza. On October 1, a week before the October 7th attacks, the head of research, Amit Saar, assessed that Yahya Sinwar desired a return to quiet. On October 3, the Shin Bet informed Netanyahu that granting concessions for security quiet could maintain stability in the Strip long-term.

Netanyahu reportedly received his first update on the attack at 6:29 AM on October 7. Likud stated that those who identified signs of the impending attack overnight did not act on the information or alert the police, emergency response teams, kibbutzim, border guards, the Nova music festival attendees, or the Prime Minister himself. The party also noted that Netanyahu decided to launch a ground maneuver in Gaza against pressure from President Biden, who favored air strikes only.

Likud further credited Netanyahu with leading the conquest of Gaza and Rafah, the release of all hostages, Operation "The Beepers," the assassinations of Nasrallah, Sinwar, and Deif, the capture of Mount Hermon, the elimination of Iran's nuclear scientists, and preventing an Iranian nuclear threat. The party concluded that Channel 12's "perception engineering" during the election campaign is intended to bring about a left-wing government supported by Arab parties, led by figures like Eisenkot, Yair Golan, Lieberman, and Bennett, which would result in withdrawal from Gaza, Judea and Samaria, Lebanon, and Syria, and the establishment of a Palestinian state.