Netanyahu Aides Censor Interview Questions on Judicial Overhaul, Oct 7

Advisors to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invited Gal Shinoter, the chairwoman of the Tel Aviv University Student Union, for a late-night interview at the Likud election headquarters. Upon arrival, Shinoter waited for about an hour and a half before presenting her list of questions to the advisors. According to Shinoter, Topaz Luk began deleting some of her questions, with Likud campaign director and Mayor of Bat Yam Zvika Brot also present. While Netanyahu was filmed playing ping-pong with activists for the campaign, Luk and others reviewed Shinoter's questions, marking which were acceptable and which were not. They explained that questions about October 7 and state inquiry commissions were "not serving the campaign at the moment."

Netanyahu has avoided interviews with media outlets not considered favorable to him throughout the election campaign. Shinoter told Ynet that she was told it was a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" and that she should be grateful. At one point, she stated, they dictated what she should ask the Prime Minister, noting her past comments on gender segregation in academia and the draft law.

The Tel Aviv University Student Union confirmed that Shinoter was initially promised she could ask any question freely and document the meeting independently. However, upon arrival, she discovered that some questions were rejected and independent recording was not permitted, contrary to the agreement. The Likud, however, claimed the meeting was canceled due to scheduling conflicts and would be rescheduled.

Among the questions Netanyahu's advisors refused to allow were those concerning the government's funding of institutions that do not teach core subjects, the importance of technological progress, and the perception of the university as "traitorous" or "extreme left," especially given that many students served in the recent war. An alternative phrasing was suggested for the latter: "What can be done about the stigma surrounding Tel Aviv University as traitorous? It greatly concerns the students here, especially reservists."

Other deleted questions pertained to the accessibility and cost of higher education in Israel, preferential admission for Arab students over Jewish students, accountability for the October 7th events, and whether Netanyahu plans to reintroduce the judicial overhaul in the same manner if re-elected. A question about the hardest decision Netanyahu made during the current war and its personal cost was also censored.

The Likud responded to the initial report in Haaretz by stating the publication was inaccurate and that the filming did not take place, having been postponed due to scheduling issues. The Student Union reiterated its conditions for participation: free questioning on all topics and independent recording. When these conditions were not met, the invitation was declined. Shinoter agreed to participate after being assured these conditions would be met, but upon arrival, discovered otherwise, leading her to withdraw from the interview.