A statement circulated on social media Friday afternoon vigorously defended National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, accusing journalist Amit Segal (N12) of joining a campaign to delegitimize him. The letter listed Ben Gvir's achievements in police reform, prison conditions, and civilian firearms licensing, and challenged Segal to speak with officers and citizens rather than analysts.
A supporter of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir whose identity was not disclosed published an open letter Friday afternoon targeting N12 journalist Amit Segal. The letter vigorously defended Ben Gvir’s tenure and accused Segal of joining a broader media campaign to delegitimize the minister. It cited specific achievements including improved police pay and backing, harsher conditions for incarcerated terrorists, the expansion of armed civilian response teams (kitot konenut), and the issuance of hundreds of thousands of firearms licenses.
The letter followed Ben Gvir’s own response to Segal earlier on Friday. At 11:19 Jerusalem, as The Zioneer reported, the minister accused Segal of launching a campaign to push him out of the government, framing Segal’s column as the opening shot of a political effort to form a unity government without him. The anonymous letter echoes that political framing while offering a more ground-level defense of the minister’s record.
Amit Segal, as The Zioneer reported in its background on July 2, is widely regarded as the most influential political journalist in Israel, operating through N12 and his extensive social media presence. He has a track record of breaking major political stories and his analysis often shapes the national conversation.
The identity of the author has not been disclosed, and it is unclear whether the letter reflects a coordinated effort or an independent expression of support. Ben Gvir has not publicly commented on the anonymous letter as of publication.
2 developments
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- StrongPogul gives his version of the separation from Ben Gvir and his dismissal
- DevelopingSocial media post praises Ben-Gvir, says enemies' fear speaks for itself
- StrongIsrael's national security minister backs police who shot suspected car-rammer
Source and signal
- Open-source intake