Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett condemned the government's approval of the media-weakening law, saying it aims to preserve political survival and promising to cancel it and appoint a professional communications minister, according to N12.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, in a statement carried by N12 shortly after 20:00 Jerusalem on Thursday evening, specifically condemned the government's approval of a media-weakening law as 'delusional and dangerous' and vowed to cancel it if returned to power, appointing a professional communications minister. The remarks mark a sharpening of Bennett's criticism, which had initially been reported by ynet in more general terms at the same hour.
The thread of reports began at 20:10 Jerusalem with ynet quoting Bennett's general condemnation of the government's recent legislation as 'delusional and dangerous' without naming a specific bill. Minutes later, N12 published Bennett's fuller statement, directly tying the criticism to the newly approved media law and including his promise to repeal it and appoint a professional minister. The reports followed a statement from Blue and White leader Benny Gantz at 19:51 Jerusalem, who warned that the law 'paves the way for the next disaster.' Bennett's critique also echoes his earlier condemnation on Jul 5, when he called the government's refusal to abide by a High Court ruling on the Second Authority 'anarchy in the streets and the dismantling of our state.'
The Zioneer reported on Sunday, Jul 5, that Bennett warned of anarchy from the government's defiance of the High Court. Earlier this week, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi asserted on Monday, Jul 13, that the media reform bill would pass despite opposition from Channel 12 and the legal advisor. The bill has been a central point of contention between the coalition and opposition, with press freedom advocates warning of its impact on free media.
The law, which the government pushed through despite opposition, is expected to face legal challenges in the High Court. Its future remains uncertain if the coalition's composition changes, with Bennett indicating he would repeal it.
2 developments
- DevelopingBennett condemns government's defiance of High Court on Second Authority
- DevelopingBennett says 2022 anti-Iran plan would have boosted chance of regime collapse
- DevelopingBennett: Government incapable of advancing Israel — vows election victory
- DevelopingGantz: Coalition's media law paves way for next disaster
Source and signal
- Internal intake