The Likud party on Wednesday evening escalated its campaign against Haaretz and opposition leader Yair Golan, demanding a criminal investigation into the newspaper, journalist Shlomi Eldar, and Golan's Democrats party. Likud alleged that Eldar was paid by a left-wing NGO tied to Golan to publish a false report, and claimed that Golan and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar made a secret visit to the UAE two months ago, suggesting a link to foreign election interference. The party reiterated its accusation that Palestinian figure Mohammed Dahlan orchestrated the Haaretz leak.
At 20:03 Wednesday, the Likud party escalated its campaign against Haaretz and opposition leader Yair Golan with a new statement demanding a criminal investigation and alleging that Golan and Shin Bet director Ronen Bar made a secret visit to the United Arab Emirates two months ago. Likud claimed this trip may be linked to an alleged foreign election interference plot and reiterated that journalist Shlomi Eldar was paid by a left-wing NGO affiliated with Golan's Democrats party to publish a false report.
Initial reports at 19:14 Wednesday — published in three successive versions — first accused Haaretz of running a false story orchestrated by Palestinian figure Mohammed Dahlan, then added journalist Ruth Yuval to the demand for a criminal probe, and finally noted that Prime Minister Netanyahu personally called for the investigation while questioning the Shin Bet chief's UAE visit. The Zioneer reported on the first Likud accusations at 19:45. Tonight's 20:03 statement formalizes the secret visit allegation and explicitly ties it to the foreign interference narrative.
The Likud has a history of attacking Golan and left-wing blocs as tied to foreign elements, as The Zioneer reported on Aug 19 and Aug 9. Tonight's escalation extends that pattern with specific, unverified allegations of financial payments and undisclosed meetings.
The Shin Bet and police have not commented on the secret visit allegation. All accusations detailed in Likud's statement remain unverified and originate from a political party.
7 developments
- StrongDana Varon: Channel 12's Netanyahu coverage is 'voyeurism, not journalism'
- DevelopingTheMarker publishes critical stories about Netanyahu
- DevelopingTelegram post accuses commentator Eyal Meged of spreading 'poison' about Netanyahu
- DevelopingLikud MK Bitan accuses Netanyahu of leaking during internal meeting, warns against 'political elimination' of MKs
Source and signal
- Open-source intake