Amit Segal Responds to Leaked Chats with Netanyahu Advisor
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
WhatsApp conversations attributed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's advisor, Yonatan Urich, were leaked online Sunday, causing a stir. Political commentator Amit Segal, whose exchanges with Urich were among those leaked, stated that such information sharing is common. Segal condemned the hacking itself but suggested similar chats would be found if other political figures' phones were compromised. The leaker threatened further revelations.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- WhatsApp conversations attributed to Prime Minister's advisor Yonatan Urich were leaked online Sunday.
- Political commentator Amit Segal acknowledged his chats with Urich, calling such exchanges a common journalistic practice.
- Segal condemned the hacking but suggested similar chats exist among other political figures.
- The leaker threatened to release additional conversations in the coming days.
- Urich responded to the leak by posting an edited video and a cryptic remark about hacking.
WhatsApp conversations attributed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's advisor, Yonatan Urich, were leaked to social media on Sunday, sparking controversy. Political commentator Amit Segal addressed the exposure of his exchanges with Urich in an interview with Channel 12 News, stating that Urich was "by no means the only one." A pirate website, allegedly run by the leaker, posted the conversations online, threatening to release more in the coming days. Urich responded by posting an edited video of the "Yashar!" party chairman and quipping, "They hacked Izencoat." Segal, commenting on his own leaked conversations, remarked, "I wish to testify to incriminate myself. He is by no means the only one, and I will explain: The event is very simple. It sounds strange, but journalists don't get information because of their beautiful turquoise eyes; they get information within a very delicate tango between the surveyed and the surveyor, between journalists. This can include exchanges of information, receiving information, and also exchanges of opinions." When asked if a line had been crossed, Segal replied, "No. I think hacking someone's phone and spying on their life is a terrible, criminal act. If they hacked my phone, I would chase everyone and post it on Twitter. I sincerely hope no other phone of a chief of staff, party leader, or campaign manager in these elections will be hacked. And if, God forbid, they are hacked, I promise you one thing: From the Arab parties to the Haredi ones, from Izencoat to Ben Gvir, similar, if not identical, correspondence will be found, if not more far-reaching." Segal emphasized that journalists receive information through a complex dynamic with sources, not merely through personal charm.
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