Likud Considers Lifting Ban on Channel 12 Interviews Amid Political Reassessment

Following the cancellation of the indictment in the 'Power 100' case, Likud party officials have recently discussed potentially ending their boycott of interviews on Channel 12 news. According to four sources cited by Walla, the party recognizes that the boycott has caused them to lose a key media platform and limits their reach to voters who do not watch Channel 14. Some insiders believe the boycott was a mistake from the start and harmed the party's image. Another source emphasized that if the ban is lifted, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should make a clear statement rather than allowing Likud ministers to quietly resume interviews as if nothing happened. There is also a sense within the campaign that the decision to lift the boycott should have been postponed until after the Likud primaries.

The boycott began months ago after Likud ministers and Knesset members refused to appear on Channel 12 due to critical coverage of the 'Power 100' affair. In March, the Military Advocate General decided to cancel the indictment against five suspects in the 'Sde Teyman' case, following a comprehensive review of evidence and circumstances, including difficulties with the evidentiary basis and the implications of releasing a security detainee to Gaza. The IDF statement noted significant developments since the indictment was filed, leading to the decision to halt legal proceedings. The military prosecution cited the complexity of the evidence, the legal ramifications of the detainee's release, and considerations of "justification defense" related to conduct by senior military legal officials and unprecedented circumstances surrounding the case's handling.