Amit Segal Addresses Leaked Chats, Defends Journalist-Source Interactions
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Political commentator Amit Segal responded to the leak of his personal conversations with Jonathan Urikh, an advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Segal acknowledged the exchange of information between journalists and political sources is common and can involve opinion sharing. He condemned the hacking and leak as a criminal act and a severe privacy violation. Segal asserted that similar leaks from other political figures, including those from Arab and Haredi parties, would likely reveal comparable or more extensive communications.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Political commentator Amit Segal addressed leaked personal chats with PM Netanyahu's advisor Jonathan Urikh.
- Segal acknowledged that journalists and political sources engage in a common exchange of information and opinions.
- He condemned the hacking and leak of private communications as a "terrible, criminal act."
- Segal stated he would pursue legal action if his own phone communications were leaked.
- He suggested similar leaks from other political figures would reveal comparable or more extensive chats.
Political commentator Amit Segal addressed the controversy surrounding the leak of personal communications belonging to Jonathan Urikh, a close advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The leaked messages, which included exchanges between Urikh and Segal, sparked a debate about journalistic practices and privacy. Segal, speaking humorously on Channel 12, admitted, "I want to give testimony here that will incriminate myself, he is definitely not the only one." He explained that journalists receive information through a delicate 'tango' between sources and reporters, which can involve the exchange of information and opinions. Segal stated that many individuals he has covered over the years have shared drafts of speeches with him for feedback.
Segal strongly condemned the security breach and violation of privacy, calling it a "terrible, criminal act." He declared that if his own phone had been hacked and his communications published, he would have pursued legal action against anyone who shared them online, regardless of whether they were associated with Banet, Urikh, or anyone else. He emphasized that such breaches are not unique to Netanyahu's office or the political right.
Segal expressed hope that no other campaign managers' phones would be compromised in the current elections. However, he warned that if such breaches occurred, similar or even more extensive communications would be found from individuals across the political spectrum, including from Arab and Haredi parties, and figures like Eizenkot and Ben Gvir. The article notes that publishing personal material illegally obtained from a citizen's phone is prohibited under privacy laws.
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