Likud Reverses Boycott, Plans to Return to Channel 12 Interviews Ahead of Elections

About eight months after many Likud ministers and Knesset members boycotted Israel's Channel 12 news due to its controversial coverage of Unit 100 and refusal to apologize, the party is now shifting course. Under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's directive, senior Likud figures are expected to resume interviews on the channel as the upcoming elections approach. Netanyahu himself has not yet decided whether he will personally appear on Channel 12.

The boycott began following Channel 12's report on Unit 100 soldiers, which included an edited video from the Shde Teman incident that portrayed the soldiers negatively and accused them of serious misconduct. The refusal of Channel 12 to apologize for the damage caused to the soldiers and Israel's public image led to a widespread refusal by Likud officials to engage with the channel.

Key ministers such as Yoav Kisch, Boaz Bismuth, Amichai Shikli, and Avi Dichter are slated to participate in upcoming interviews, although Dichter's lower list ranking may affect his involvement. The decision to return to Channel 12 reflects a strategic recognition within Likud that the media landscape is dominated by left-leaning outlets and that the party must reach voters beyond the Channel 14 audience.

Previously, ministers including Shlomo Karhi and Gila Gamliel publicly declared their refusal to appear on Channel 12 until an apology was issued to Unit 100 soldiers. Gamliel criticized the channel for spreading "dangerous and false propaganda" against the IDF and Israel during critical periods. However, with elections looming, the boycott stance appears to have softened, sidelining earlier demands for an apology.

This development signals a pragmatic shift in Likud's media strategy as it seeks to maximize outreach ahead of the vote, balancing political considerations with past grievances related to the Unit 100 controversy.