Likud Accuses Channel 12 of 'False Propaganda' on Memorial Day

The Likud party launched a sharp attack on Channel 12 on Wednesday, accusing the Israeli news outlet of broadcasting "false political propaganda" against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Likud party throughout Memorial Day for the victims of the October 7th massacre. The party claims this campaign aims to politically harm Netanyahu, bring down the right-wing government, and establish a Palestinian state.

Likud asserted that contrary to claims made against the Prime Minister, Netanyahu did not receive advance warning of the Hamas attack from Gaza. The party cited testimonies from former President Donald Trump, President Joe Biden's advisor Brett McGurk, and governments of the UAE and Egypt as evidence that no such warning was given to Netanyahu. Furthermore, Likud stated that official documents and protocols submitted to the State Comptroller indicate that security officials repeatedly assessed Hamas as deterred and seeking de-escalation, even recommending humanitarian easing to "maintain quiet."

To support its claims, Likud presented intelligence reports from May 31st stating Hamas was seeking new arenas to stabilize Gaza, and another from July 23rd that did not foresee escalation from Gaza, instead highlighting the Lebanese front as the immediate danger. Even days before the massacre, Likud claims the assessment was that Hamas desired quiet. On October 1st, seven days before the attack, Head of Research Division Amit Sa'ar reportedly said Sinwar's desire was to return to quiet. A Shin Bet document on October 3rd, four days before the massacre, suggested that "security quiet in exchange for easing carries potential for maintaining stability in the Strip, possibly even long-term."

Likud emphasized that Netanyahu was first informed of the Hamas attack at 6:29 AM on October 7th. The party alleged that during the night, individuals saw real-time signs of the impending attack but failed to update the police, emergency squads, kibbutzim, soldiers on the border, festival-goers, or the Prime Minister. "If Prime Minister Netanyahu had been updated in real-time, everything would have looked different," Likud stated.

The party also credited Netanyahu with deciding on a ground maneuver in Gaza after the war began, resisting pressure for only airstrikes. Likud attributed military achievements to Netanyahu, including operations in Gaza and Rafah, the release of hostages, the "Beepers Operation," the elimination of Nasrallah, Sinwar, and Deif, the capture of Mount Hermon, and actions against Iran. Likud concluded by accusing Channel 12 of "false consciousness engineering" during the election campaign, intended to replace Netanyahu's government.