Opposition Backer Funds 'Israel Hayom' Special Project

The Israeli newspaper "Israel Hayom" published a large-scale election supplement titled "Israel Votes," which has generated significant attention within the country's political circles. Readers and experts noted the materials' apparent favorability towards opposition figures, including Avigdor Lieberman, Naftali Bennett, and Gadi Eisenkot. According to Channel 14, the project was fully funded by industrialist and millionaire Boaz Amitai through a public organization he controls, "The Israeli Movement for Civic Activity," branded as "Israel 2050." Financial records confirmed Amitai as the primary source of funds for this organization. Amitai is known for his close ties to protest movement leaders and his participation in closed consultations with the tech sector. He has previously expressed concerns about threats to Israeli democracy and advocates for the separation of religion and state, including the dissolution of the Chief Rabbinate. Amitai has spoken of needing long-term private investment to shift public opinion, aiming for liberal sectors to influence conservative views. Political opponents view the paid content in a major newspaper as a direct implementation of this strategy using private capital. Representatives of "Israel 2050" denied accusations of bias, stating the project was neutral and educational, offering equal opportunities to all factions, including Minister of Education Yoav Kisch from the ruling coalition. The movement claimed the project aimed to address key national issues like security and the cost of living. "Israel Hayom" clarified that the supplement was a purely commercial advertising product, prepared by its marketing services sales department, with no involvement from the main publication's journalists or editors.