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Meet the Press

Meet the Press is a flagship weekly political interview program on Israel's N12 (Channel 12), known for hosting high-stakes discussions with the nation's top decision-makers and shaping the political agenda.

The Zioneer Intelligence Desk
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Meet the Press (Pagosh Et HaItonut) serves as a central pillar of Israeli political media, airing on N12. The program is a primary venue for major political announcements, policy debates, and exclusive interviews that often ripple through the Knesset and the broader public discourse. In the Israeli media landscape, which is characterized by high-intensity news cycles and a deeply engaged electorate, the show functions as a critical platform where senior officials—from the Prime Minister to opposition leaders—are held to account or choose to launch significant strategic shifts.

Historically, the program has been the site of pivotal moments in Israeli governance. Its format typically involves deep-dive interviews conducted by prominent journalists like Amit Segal and Ben Caspit, focusing on security, diplomacy, and internal coalition dynamics. For international observers and local citizens alike, the Saturday evening broadcast often sets the tone for the upcoming week in Israeli politics.

Recently, the program has gained renewed prominence as a stage for internal dissent within the Likud party. In July 2026, former Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein utilized an exclusive interview on the show to announce his departure from the Likud party. This move, which included his intention to form a new political framework for national unity, was broadcast live, demonstrating the show's continued role as the preferred medium for high-impact political declarations. The program's ability to secure such exclusives underscores its position as a gatekeeper of the national conversation, particularly during times of coalition instability and multi-front security challenges.

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Full Reports

  • Edelstein Confirms Likud Departure on 'Meet the Press', Outlines New Political Path

    MK Yuli Edelstein announced in a live interview on N12's 'Meet the Press' on Saturday evening that he is leaving the Likud party after 23 years. Edelstein, a veteran statesman and former Speaker of the Knesset, confirmed he is embarking on a new political path, citing deep-seated disagreements with the party's current direction, particularly regarding military service and the equal sharing of the national burden.

  • Edelstein Announces Departure from Likud, Citing Inability to Justify Party Policies

    Former Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein announced his departure from the Likud party on Friday, stating in an exclusive interview with N12 that he can no longer publicly defend the party's current policy direction. Edelstein revealed plans to establish a new political framework aimed at fostering a national unity government, while explicitly distancing himself from the existing opposition bloc.

  • Yuli Edelstein Announces Departure from Likud to Form New Political Framework

    Former Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein announced Friday that he is leaving the Likud party to establish a new political framework. In an interview with N12's Amit Segal, Edelstein stated that he can no longer publicly justify the party's current policies and intends to promote a national unity government while remaining outside the anti-Netanyahu "change bloc."

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