MK Almog Cohen Slams News 12 Presenter Kushmaro and Colleagues
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Likud MK Almog Cohen has fiercely attacked News 12 presenter Dani Kushmaro and other Israeli journalists for their perceived silence regarding Kushmaro's remarks about Ofakim residents. Cohen called the media "sick" and "vile" for not condemning Kushmaro's comments, which questioned support for politicians after the October 7th massacre. The Mayor of Ofakim has demanded a public apology from Kushmaro, while Cohen's criticism has extended to fellow journalists who he believes failed to stand with the city's residents.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- MK Almog Cohen called News 12 presenter Dani Kushmaro and other journalists "sick" and "vile."
- Cohen criticized Kushmaro's remarks questioning Ofakim residents' support for politicians after October 7th.
- The Mayor of Ofakim demanded a public apology from Kushmaro for his comments.
- Cohen singled out journalists Almog Boker and Amit Segal as exceptions to his criticism.
- Cohen's criticism escalated to include other media figures for their alleged silence.
Member of Knesset Almog Cohen of the Likud party has escalated his criticism of News 12, following a monologue by presenter Dani Kushmaro concerning residents of Ofakim. Cohen is now directing his anger towards media figures he claims failed to condemn Kushmaro's remarks. He described these individuals as "the most disgusting, most vile people there can be," singling out only journalists Almog Boker and Amit Segal as exceptions to his criticism.
The controversy began with comments Kushmaro made on "Ulpan Shishi" about the Mishor HaGafen neighborhood in Ofakim, where 33 residents were killed in the October 7th attacks. Kushmaro presented election results showing 65% of the neighborhood's votes went to the "Netanyahu bloc" and questioned the continued support for politicians under whom the massacre occurred. The Mayor of Ofakim, Itzik Danino, has already contacted Keshet CEO Avi Nir demanding a public, live apology from Kushmaro.
Cohen, who had previously attacked Kushmaro, is now broadening his critique to fellow journalists. Speaking to Channel 14, Cohen questioned the "deafening silence" of the media, contrasting it with past praise for Ofakim as a "city of heroes." He stated, "The media here is so sick. These are the most disgusting people. The most vile people there can be. How can you be silent? Except for Almog Boker and Amit Segal, everyone was silent."
Cohen further expressed despair, calling those who view the situation normally and report on it "sick" with "problems in their heads." He had previously called on fans of Hapoel Be'er Sheva, a team Kushmaro supports, to prevent the presenter from participating in club activities. This prompted a response from Rina Matsliach, a former colleague of Kushmaro's at News 12 and a fan of the team, who urged supporters to back him. Cohen also attacked Matsliach, reminding her that Ofakim residents killed on October 7th had physically blocked terrorists' advance towards Be'er Sheva and other cities.
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