Communications Minister Slams Media as 'Panic Channels' After Exit Polls
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Communications Minister Shlomo Karai criticized Israeli media, calling them "panic channels" after exit polls showed his Likud party performing better than predicted. He specifically targeted the Public Broadcasting Corporation and Channel 13 for perceived bias. While Likud emerged as the largest party in the polls, the results did not guarantee a majority for forming a government.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Communications Minister Shlomo Karai criticized Israeli media as 'panic channels' after exit polls.
- Karai accused the Public Broadcasting Corporation and Channel 13 of propaganda, not news.
- Exit polls showed Likud as the largest party, exceeding earlier negative predictions.
- The exit poll results did not guarantee a majority for forming a government.
- Channel 14's poll showed the right-wing bloc reaching 62 seats, but others fell short.
Israel's Minister of Communications, Shlomo Karai, criticized Israeli media outlets, including the Public Broadcasting Corporation and Channel 13, following the release of election exit polls. Speaking at the Likud party headquarters after the polls for the 26th Knesset were published, Karai expressed satisfaction with his party's performance compared to earlier predictions.
Karai specifically targeted the Public Broadcasting Corporation, stating his opposition to funding what he termed "propaganda" with public money. "The propaganda is not on our dime," he declared. When asked about Channel 13, he quipped, "Channel 13 should do news, not propaganda."
Furthermore, Karai attacked news channels he accused of presenting pessimistic forecasts about the Likud party's strength throughout the election campaign. "Panic channels, we are much better than their gloomy predictions, and God willing, we will do the best for the Israeli people," he stated.
His remarks came as exit polls indicated the Likud party emerged as the largest party across all six channels, securing between 24 and 31 seats. This outcome contrasted with some earlier surveys that had projected a significantly lower number of seats for the party. However, the exit poll results did not guarantee Prime Minister Netanyahu a majority to form a government, with the right-wing bloc falling below the required threshold in most polls, although Channel 14's updated poll showed the bloc reaching 62 seats.
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