Itamar Ben Gvir Defends Yair Netanyahu Against Journalistic Exposure During War

Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel's National Security Minister, publicly defended Yair Netanyahu, son of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following media reports revealing locations where Yair stayed during the recent war. Ben Gvir sharply criticized journalists involved, accusing them of endangering the safety of threatened individuals for the sake of headlines. "This morning, I identify with Yair Netanyahu," Ben Gvir stated, condemning what he called an obsessive media pursuit that prioritizes sensationalism over security.

Ben Gvir described the publication exposing Yair Netanyahu's whereabouts as crossing acceptable journalistic boundaries and called for condemnation from across the political spectrum. He recounted his own experience during the war when he and his family were evacuated by the Shin Bet to a hotel due to assassination threats. Despite this, journalists questioned his spokesperson about his presence at the hotel, implying suspicion about his actions during wartime.

The minister emphasized that the evacuation was a security measure, not a leisure activity, and highlighted that he is one of Israel's most threatened public figures, having survived approximately ten assassination attempts both domestically and abroad. He linked the threats to his policies, including prison reforms and demolitions of illegal structures, as well as his positions in security cabinet discussions.

Ben Gvir concluded by urging the media to respect limits in their coverage, allowing criticism but rejecting any reporting that risks human lives in pursuit of obsessive headlines.