Yaakov Bardugo Condemns Yoav Horowitz’s Interviews as a 'Humiliating Performance'

Yaakov Bardugo, a political commentator and former associate of Yoav Horowitz, sharply criticized Horowitz’s recent interview series in which the former chief of staff to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke out. On a Sunday morning broadcast of "Israel HaBoker," Bardugo described Horowitz’s public statements as a "humiliating performance" and said he felt ashamed watching someone he once considered a friend betray his role.

Bardugo emphasized his long-standing personal relationship with Horowitz, noting that despite their friendship, he was appalled by Horowitz’s actions. He accused Horowitz of grossly violating the ethical codes of a position of trust, comparing it to his own experience serving under former minister David Levy. Bardugo claimed Horowitz lied and broke fundamental loyalty principles to gain favor with the political left.

He also questioned the circumstances surrounding Horowitz’s departure from Netanyahu’s office, suggesting that Horowitz omitted critical details related to the "thousands’ trial" (a reference to ongoing legal proceedings). Bardugo hinted that much of what led to Horowitz’s exit was connected to this case but was not disclosed in the interviews.

Furthermore, Bardugo linked Horowitz’s media appearances to political maneuvers within the left-center camp, mentioning Horowitz’s role in founding the "Yashar" party alongside Gadi Eisenkot. He accused Horowitz of seeking to dirty the political waters to advance himself and protect Eisenkot, alleging that Channel 12 was using Horowitz as part of an election campaign.

In closing, Bardugo warned Horowitz against trusting the current media and political embrace, calling it a "stab in the back" and urged him to feel shame for his actions. Bardugo’s remarks reflect deep divisions and ongoing tensions within Israeli political and media circles regarding loyalty and political allegiance.