Israeli Media Personality Apologizes to October 7th Families After Outcry

Media personality Yinon Magal has issued an apology following public backlash over comments made on his program. Magal read a list of individuals involved in a book criticizing Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's handling of the October 7th events, referring to them as "despicable people" and "the most vile people living in the State of Israel." He suggested their only way to "atone for the abomination" was to vote for the "Mahl" party. The list included survivors of captivity and family members of those affected on October 7th and during the subsequent hostage crisis.

Following the controversy, Magal clarified that his remarks were aimed at campaign participants against Netanyahu and not intended to harm the families. He later released a video of a meeting with two relatives of Shiri Bibas, who requested the meeting. Magal expressed regret, stating he "entered a situation I didn't intend, didn't plan, and didn't want," and that his words "came out very badly and hurt many people."

Magal asked the relatives to convey his apologies to Yarden, Ofri, and the rest of the Bibas family, emphasizing he had no intention of causing them pain. He acknowledged understanding their tragedy and suffering from his past interactions with many families. He admitted his clarification came too late, calling it a mistake not to have spoken immediately.

One of the relatives present accepted Magal's apology, stating, "We all make mistakes," and expressed belief in its sincerity. However, Ofri Bibas Levy, sister of Yarden Bibas, strongly rejected the apology, calling it "not theirs to accept." She claimed Magal met with the relatives without her knowledge and that the meeting was not in good faith, calling it part of an "incitement campaign" against families aimed at prolonging the tenure of someone who refuses to take responsibility for the "greatest failure."