Netanyahu Advisor Uses 'Leech' Metaphor Amid Leaked Chat Scandal
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Yonatan Urich, an advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, posted a cryptic message on X using a "leech" metaphor, seemingly targeting journalist Ben Caspit amid a scandal over leaked chat messages. Caspit had criticized Urich over the alleged leak of sensitive conversations, warning of blackmail risks and security implications. Urich, through his lawyers, denied the authenticity of the leaked chats, claiming they were altered and threatened legal action.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Yonatan Urich, Netanyahu's advisor, posted a cryptic "leech" metaphor on X amid a leaked chat scandal.
- The post appeared to target journalist Ben Caspit, who had criticized Urich over the leaks.
- Caspit warned of blackmail risks and security implications from the alleged leak of sensitive conversations.
- Urich denied the authenticity of the leaked chats, claiming they were altered.
- Urich threatened legal action against those who published the alleged chats.
Yonatan Urich, an advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, posted a cryptic message on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, referencing a scandal involving allegedly leaked chat messages from his mobile phone. Urich used the metaphor of a leech, mentioning radio host Yinon Magal and television broadcaster Amit Segal, in a post that appeared to allude to journalist Ben Caspit. "A leech is a type of worm that lives mostly in water or humid environments. They attach themselves to humans and animals and suck blood. That's how they live. The leeches need Yinon Magal to broadcast on a leading radio show, and Amit Segal to broadcast on an influential television show. Without a source of life, the leech may become extinct from the world, and return to writing a column on page 17 of Maariv. Let's save the leech from extinction," Urich wrote.
The post suggested Urich was referring to Caspit, who hosts a radio show with Magal and writes for Maariv. Caspit had recently spoken out sharply against Urich following the leak scandal. Caspit stated that according to security officials, Urich allegedly opened his WhatsApp to unauthorized individuals, containing sensitive correspondence and phone numbers of protected figures. Caspit added that Urich could be subject to blackmail and that confidential information might be at risk. He also criticized Urich for not undergoing a security clearance check with the Shin Bet, suggesting it had implications for the Prime Minister and was karma for how "they" handled information about Benny Gantz's phone being breached.
The scandal involves the circulation on social media of private WhatsApp conversations allegedly belonging to Urich, including chats with Likud officials, journalists, and pollsters. Initially, conversations with seven contacts and groups were released, with threats of further disclosures. Through his attorneys, Amit Haddad and Noa Milstein, Urich stated that the conversations were altered and contained fabricated content. He denied the authenticity of the materials and threatened legal action.
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