Channel 14 Host Predicts Iran War as Israeli Security Chief Faces Probe Pressure

A day before the launch of Israel's "Roaring Lion" operation against Iran in late February, Channel 14 presenter Yinon Magal posted a video clearly forecasting the outbreak of war and warning Iranians of impending strikes. In the video, Magal urged viewers to prepare shelters and be ready, linking the timing to the Jewish holiday of Purim and interpreting the events as divine signs.

Around three weeks ago, Channel 14 analyst Yaakov Bardugo, a political operative close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, revealed on "Galey Yisrael" radio that he met with Shin Bet chief David Zini to pressure him into opening an investigation against Channel 12. The probe was related to suspicions that a security source leaked information about the timing of the Iran strike to Channel 12. Initially, Zini refused and clashed with cabinet ministers but later changed his stance and sought approval from Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to proceed with the investigation amid intense political pressure.

Last weekend, "Weekend News" disclosed that Netanyahu himself was behind the pressure campaign on Zini, supported by some government ministers. Bardugo had publicly called repeatedly for an investigation into Channel 12, despite not being a journalist himself. Two days before the June launch of the "With the Lion" operation, Bardugo had also declared on air that the attack was imminent. A senior security source described Bardugo’s behavior as effectively serving as "the enemy’s central warning system," as reported by journalist Ronen Bergman.

The Movement for Quality Government in Israel has now petitioned the Attorney General, State Prosecutor Amit Isman, Police Commissioner Danni Levi, and the head of investigations and intelligence, Boaz Balat, to open a criminal investigation against Shin Bet chief Zini. They accuse him of breach of trust and possibly other offenses for meeting with Bardugo and advancing the probe against Channel 12. The Movement highlighted conflicts of interest, including the presence of a Shin Bet employee related to a senior Channel 14 journalist at the meeting, and questioned the legality and oversight of Shin Bet’s expanded use of journalists’ communication data since Zini’s appointment.

This controversy follows concerns about the leaking of sensitive security information and political interference in intelligence operations, raising questions about the balance between national security and media freedom in Israel.