Channel 13 Anchor Expresses Pain Over Netanyahu's Controversial October 7 Comment

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sparked widespread backlash after a remark he made during a recent interview on Channel 14's "The Patriots" program. When asked what had changed in him since October 7, the date of a major attack and subsequent hostage crisis, Netanyahu responded with a joke, saying, "I lost a little weight."

The comment ignited sharp criticism on social media, with many condemning the Prime Minister for appearing to make light of a tragic event. Rubi Chen, father of Itay Chen, a soldier kidnapped and later confirmed dead in Gaza on October 7, strongly rebuked Netanyahu's statement. He accused the Prime Minister of indifference to the destruction of the country and of sacrificing soldiers to maintain his political power, calling the remark "disgusting."

Channel 13 anchor Udi Segal also responded to the controversy, expressing his sorrow by stating, "It breaks my heart." The incident highlights the ongoing sensitivity and national trauma surrounding the events of October 7 and the political tensions they have exacerbated.

No further official response from Netanyahu was reported following the public outcry. The episode underscores the deep divisions in Israeli society over the handling and memory of the recent conflict and its casualties.