Channel 14 reported that the Democrats party prohibited its reporter from covering the party's primary elections. Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi responded by calling the party a 'fascist party' and a 'celebration of hypocrisy'.
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi (Likud) on Tuesday called the Democrats party a "fascist party" and a "celebration of hypocrisy," after the party barred Channel 14 from covering its primary elections. The statement marks the latest escalation in a running dispute between the left-wing party and the right-leaning broadcaster.
The confrontation began on Monday, Jul 20 at 17:15 Jerusalem, when Channel 14 filed an urgent petition with the Tel Aviv District Court, alleging discriminatory exclusion. The petition cited a 2022 Supreme Court ruling that political parties must adhere to equality principles regarding media access. By the same hour, the party had confirmed the ban, and Channel 14 commentators Yotam Zemer and Moti Kastel launched sharp attacks—Zemer accusing the party of trying to "cage" public consciousness, and Kastel labeling its candidates "extreme, radical, and antisemitic." The Zioneer reported these developments on Monday (Jul 20, 17:15 Jerusalem).
The Zioneer has previously documented ongoing tensions between the Democrats party and Channel 14. On Jul 19, candidate Avi Shoshan alleged that MK Naama Lazimi canceled a podcast interview because of his participation on Channel 14 panels. On Jul 5, party figure Omri Nahmani publicly accused Channel 14 journalist Daniel Amram of bias linked to the Chabad movement, as The Zioneer reported. The Democrats party, formed from the merger of Labor and Meretz, describes itself as a unified liberal-democratic alternative.
The party has not yet issued a public response to Minister Karhi's remarks. The court petition filed by Channel 14 remains pending.
6 developments
- DevelopingDemocratic Party figure Omri Nahmani accuses Daniel Amram of Chabad-linked bias
- DevelopingAvi Shoshan alleges Naama Lazimi canceled podcast interview over Channel 14 ties
- DevelopingPolitical commentator slams Democrats party primaries, calls party 'hatred and poison'
- DevelopingSocial media post claims journalists banned from Channel 14 interviews
Source and signal
- Internal intake