Pollster Shlomo Philber Thanks Channel 14 After Election Results Vindicate His Forecasts

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Pollster Shlomo Philber of Channel 14 has publicly thanked his colleagues and team after election results vindicated his forecasts, which differed significantly from those of other media outlets. While many journalists and commentators are now admitting their polls failed to capture the right-wing bloc's strength, Philber expressed gratitude for the "courage, integrity, and support" he received. His accurate predictions contrasted with those of numerous other pollsters, leading to widespread acknowledgments of their failures.

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Pollster Shlomo Philber thanked Channel 14 staff and Next Data for their support after his election forecasts proved accurate.
Many competing journalists and commentators have admitted their polls failed to predict the right-wing bloc's strength.
Philber's polls consistently showed a stronger right-wing bloc than other media outlets throughout the campaign.
Journalists like Itamar Cohen and Eyal Berkovich publicly acknowledged Philber's accurate predictions.
Philber stated they "went with our truth against everyone for years."

Shlomo Philber, the pollster for Channel 14, has responded for the first time to the election results, which largely validated his forecasts, contrasting with those of many competing media outlets. After months of facing criticism and ridicule for the discrepancies between Channel 14's polls and those of other organizations, Philber chose to express gratitude to the management and staff of Channel 14 and his team at Next Data, rather than gloat over the failures of his rivals.

"A huge thank you to the management of Channel 14 for the courage, integrity, determination, and support to go with our truth against everyone for years," Philber wrote. He recalled the beginning of his work with the channel four years prior, referencing the 2022 election poll where he identified the strength of the right-wing bloc when other pollsters reported lower figures. He also extended thanks to numerous channel employees, including reporters, commentators, presenters, digital staff, and technical crews.

Philber specifically thanked the Next Data team for their professionalism in collecting and analyzing data throughout the election campaign, calling them "the most professional and high-quality team, doing the best television in Israel today." His statement comes amid acknowledgments from various journalists and commentators who admit their polls failed to accurately identify the true strength of the right-wing bloc.

Journalist Itamar Cohen, former editor of TheMarker, suggested Philber deserved a "Israel Prize for media." Commentator Eyal Berkovich apologized to Philber, stating, "I owe an apology to pollster Shlomo Philber, I take my hat off to him." Yossi Elituv, editor of Mishpacha newspaper, also called for apologies to Philber, recognizing him as being "closest to reality."

Reporter Bini Ashkenazi of Israel Hayom pointed out the gap between predictions and reality, calling for an explanation for the failure of most polls. Journalist Attila Somfalvi suggested that all Israeli pollsters should call Philber for a personal conversation. Political commentator Amit Segal described the situation as a "Yom Kippur for most pollsters," noting the statistical impossibility of a six-seat opposition advantage reversing in just four days.

Throughout the election campaign, Channel 14's polls presented a significantly different picture than those on competing channels. While most predicted a dramatic weakening of the right-wing bloc, Philber insisted that the Likud and national camp voters were not being accurately represented. As vote counts progressed, it became clear that the right-wing bloc's strength was considerably greater than the low forecasts suggested, and Philber's projected trend was closer to reality.