Ex-Anchor Netali Shem Tov Joins Politics, Will Back Netanyahu Conditionally

Former news anchor Netali Shem Tov has joined the political arena as a member of the Amcha Israel party, led by Ofer Vinter. Shem Tov, who previously worked for Channel 12 and Channel 13, announced that her party will recommend Benjamin Netanyahu for Prime Minister ahead of the upcoming Knesset elections.

However, Shem Tov emphasized that their support is conditional, stating, "We will work with Netanyahu, but we are not his employees." The party intends to demand significant changes in security policy and in the approach to the conscription of the ultra-Orthodox. Shem Tov clarified that their recommendation does not signify agreement with the current coalition's policies and stressed that their support and voters should not be taken for granted.

Shem Tov expressed her vision for a "broad Zionist government," suggesting Ofer Vinter as Minister of Defense and Yosef Haddad as Minister of Public Diplomacy. She joined Vinter's party due to his public courage and willingness to pay a personal price for his convictions, believing true leadership involves acting for the public good even at personal cost.

Shem Tov also criticized the current approach to civilian armament, arguing that alongside arming eligible citizens, the state must actively collect illegal weapons. She highlighted the plight of business owners and farmers facing extortion and subsequent difficulties with insurance.

Regarding the investigation into the failures of October 7th, Shem Tov criticized both the coalition and the opposition for delaying the establishment of an inquiry commission, warning that delays hinder the pursuit of truth. She called for a commission that commands broad public trust to draw lessons, prioritizing the victims and their families.

Shem Tov also offered a critique of the media landscape, attributing the limited perspectives and stories reaching the public to the concentration of newsrooms in central Israel. She advocated for decentralizing news operations to the north and south to broaden the range of voices in public discourse. She also lamented the trend of news consumption based on political affiliation, advocating for open discussion and diverse viewpoints.

Reflecting on her personal experience on October 7th, Shem Tov described the feeling of a lack of statehood while in her home in Metula. This experience, coupled with subsequent civilian volunteering, motivated her entry into politics. She recently addressed public criticism regarding her observance of Shabbat, clarifying that Amcha Israel is a diverse party with secular and traditional members, and that her personal practices do not define the party's inclusive nature.