Yesh Atid Lawmaker Rejects Boycott of Channel 14 Amid Opposition Calls to Shut It Down

Yasmin Sachs Friedman, a co-chair of the joint party 'Yachad' which includes Yesh Atid, publicly opposed the boycott of Channel 14 despite opposition voices demanding the channel's closure. In a Sunday interview on Channel 14's "Afternoon News," Sachs Friedman stated there is no official directive from Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid to avoid interviews with the channel. When asked why Lapid himself boycotts Channel 14, she replied that the question should be directed to him.

The interview also touched on recent Supreme Court deliberations regarding petitions to allow Palestinian patients from Gaza to receive medical treatment in Israeli hospitals. Sachs Friedman attributed the court's frequent interventions to the nature of Israeli laws, which she said infringe on freedom and equality. However, she declined to answer repeated questions about petitions challenging the appointments of Shin Bet head David Zini and Mossad chief Ronen Gafni.

Sachs Friedman explained the rationale behind the 'Yachad' alliance with Naftali Bennett, emphasizing their support is mainly due to Bennett's experience. Despite pessimistic poll forecasts predicting low electoral success for the alliance, she expressed confidence as the campaign was just beginning. She also expressed disappointment over the opposition's failure to topple the government but did not blame the opposition for the damage caused.

Regarding her decision to appear on Channel 14, Sachs Friedman noted this was not the first time she had done so and reiterated there is no party order to boycott the channel. She emphasized that neither she nor Lapid has called for shutting down Channel 14, contrasting with reports that Yesh Atid views the channel as a partisan arm subject to party laws, a move that could lead to its closure.