MK Naama Lazimi Urges Attorney General to Probe Netanyahu's Conflict of Interest in Media Weakening Bill

On July 1, 2026, MK Naama Lazimi of the Democrats party sent an urgent letter to Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, demanding a review of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's conflict of interest regarding his involvement in advancing the controversial Media Weakening Bill. Lazimi argues that Baharav-Miara must reconsider her initial legal opinion, which permitted Netanyahu to participate in the legislative process despite his conflict of interest, due to significant amendments benefiting media outlets close to him.

The conflict of interest arrangement for Netanyahu was established in November 2020 by then-Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit and later approved by the Supreme Court amid Netanyahu's criminal indictments. It restricts Netanyahu from engaging in legislative or regulatory matters related to the communications sector. However, Baharav-Miara's early opinion allowed Netanyahu to be involved in the bill's passage, which Lazimi now contests given the bill's dramatic changes favoring Netanyahu's associates.

Among the main beneficiaries is businessman Patrick Drahi, owner of HOT, i24NEWS, and other media outlets. The bill grants i24NEWS the right to broadcast advertisements immediately, potentially generating tens of millions of shekels annually, secures prime channel placement without fees, expands cable and satellite distribution, removes minimum news investment requirements, and lifts cross-ownership restrictions. Additionally, commercial broadcasters like Keshet may be compelled to provide content free to distribution platforms, benefiting HOT.

Channel 14, linked to businessman Yitzhak Mirilashvili and considered a pro-government outlet, also stands to gain extensive regulatory relief. These include exemptions from obligations imposed on large commercial channels, permission to charge for content, reduced licensing fees, cancellation of requirements to establish a separate news company, and relaxed standards for quality content production. Changes to audience measurement methods could redirect government advertising funds to Channel 14.

Former Netanyahu advisor Nir Hefetz, now a state witness in the corruption cases, described the bill as "Case 5000," equating it to Netanyahu's criminal charges but conducted openly in the Knesset through Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi. Hefetz warned of the bill's implications and expressed hope for correction in the upcoming October elections. Lazimi condemned the bill as a "liquidation sale of public interest in exchange for favorable coverage and propaganda," urging Baharav-Miara to halt what she called "this madness."