Netanyahu's Party Blasts Channel 12 on Memorial Day, Sparking Fierce Political Debate
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
On the third anniversary of the October 7th massacre, Israel's Likud party accused Channel 12 of spreading "false propaganda" and asserted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had no prior warning of the attack. Opposition leader Yair Lapid strongly refuted these claims, calling them "lies" and accusing Netanyahu of ignoring intelligence warnings. The public dispute underscores the deep political divisions in Israel as elections approach, with the narrative surrounding the October 7th events becoming a central battleground.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Likud accused Channel 12 of "false propaganda" on the anniversary of the October 7th attack.
- The Likud statement claimed Prime Minister Netanyahu received no prior warning of the Hamas assault.
- Opposition leader Yair Lapid called the Likud's claims "lies" and accused Netanyahu of ignoring intelligence.
- The dispute highlights intense political tensions in Israel ahead of upcoming elections.
- The battle over the narrative of the October 7th events continues unabated.
On the third anniversary of the October 7th massacre, Israel's ruling Likud party launched an unprecedented attack on Channel 12, accusing the news outlet of spreading "false propaganda" aimed at toppling the right-wing government. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and commentator Yinon Magal amplified the Likud's statement, which asserted that Netanyahu received no prior warning of the Hamas attack and was only informed at 6:29 AM on October 7th. The statement also claimed that security officials repeatedly presented assessments of Hamas being deterred and that Netanyahu was first updated on the attack at that late hour. The Likud further listed the war's achievements, including the capture of Gaza, the elimination of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, and the release of hostages, while accusing media outlets of seeking to establish a Palestinian state.
In response, Opposition Chairman Yair Lapid vehemently denied the Likud's claims, calling them "lies" and accusing Netanyahu of ignoring repeated intelligence warnings from the IDF's Research Division and the head of the Shin Bet. Lapid questioned why Netanyahu allegedly refused a preemptive strike on Gaza on October 1st, citing concerns about peace with Saudi Arabia, and why he ignored warnings about Hamas's military buildup funded by Qatari money. Lapid also pointed to a press conference he held on September 20th, warning of a security disaster based on intelligence available to Netanyahu, and questioned Netanyahu's fear of a state inquiry commission.
Member of Knesset Meirav Ben Ari also criticized the Likud's statement, stating that "the lies will be exposed when the public hears what the Prime Minister did while the nation was being slaughtered." The heated exchange on a national day of mourning highlights the intense political tension in Israel ahead of the upcoming elections, demonstrating that even national remembrance days do not bring a pause to the battle over the narrative and responsibility for the October 7th events.
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