Yinon Magal's Controversial Remarks Spark Outrage, Ben Caspit Criticizes
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Host Yinon Magal has drawn widespread criticism for his remarks about participants in a critical book and the Bibas family. Magal attempted to apologize, admitting he should have clarified his statements earlier. However, his co-host Ben Caspit accused Magal of being instructed to make the "despicable" comments and attacked his apology as insincere. The sister of hostage survivor Yarden Bibas stated she would only seek forgiveness from her deceased wife and sons, who were killed on October 7th.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Host Yinon Magal is facing backlash for calling book participants "despicable" and accusing them of a "blood libel" against Netanyahu.
- Magal apologized, admitting he should have clarified his remarks about the Bibas family and other bereaved families earlier.
- Co-host Ben Caspit accused Magal of being "briefed" to make the "despicable" comments and criticized his apology as insincere.
- Ofri, sister of freed hostage Yarden Bibas, stated she would only seek forgiveness from her deceased wife and sons.
- Yarden Bibas' wife Shiri and sons Ariel and Kfir were killed on October 7th, with their deaths confirmed in February 2025.
Host Yinon Magal of Channel 14 and Radio 103FM's "The Patriots" is facing continued backlash for his recent statements regarding participants in the critical book "Mr. Abandoned" and his remarks about the Bibas family and bereaved families. Magal attempted to de-escalate the situation during a broadcast, stating he had intended to exclude the families of hostages from his criticism and admitting it was a mistake not to clarify his position earlier.
Magal had previously described participants in the book as "despicable people" whose only absolution would be voting for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and declared that their names would be remembered "for eternal disgrace" for allegedly fabricating a blood libel against Netanyahu. He called them "the most vile people living in the State of Israel."
Despite Magal's apology, his co-host, journalist Ben Caspit, sharply criticized him. Caspit sarcastically expressed his expectation that Magal would begin the show with a sincere apology for his "chillingly despicable" words, instead of launching a personal attack on Caspit himself. Caspit suggested that Magal's remarks were not spontaneous but were "orchestrated," implying that someone instructed him to make the "despicable act."
Caspit argued that both the originator and executor of the idea did not anticipate that insulting families enduring immense suffering for three years over a fabricated "blood libel" would be viewed negatively, especially before an election, realizing their error too late.
Ofri, the sister of freed hostage Yarden Bibas, responded to Magal's comments by stating, "The only ones I will ask for forgiveness from until the day I die are Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir." Yarden Bibas lost his wife Shiri and their two sons, Ariel and Kfir, on October 7th. After approximately 484 days in captivity, Bibas was released as part of a hostage deal. The fate of the rest of his family remained unknown until February 19, 2025, when a list of casualties designated for return in a deal confirmed their deaths.
Mentioned
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Right 1Other 1
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
