Netanyahu at trial: ‘Watch the news, it’s all left, left, left; is this healthy?’
Jeremy Sharon is The Times of Israel’s legal affairs and settlements reporter
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says during his testimony in court in his criminal trial that in 2013, after he realized that Walla owner Shaul Elovitch would not change what he terms the news site’s hostile attitude toward him, he spoke with Australian businessman James Packer and suggested he buy the news outlet.
As alternatives, Netanyahu says he also mentioned that Packer could buy the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper and its internet arm Ynet, or if none of those options worked out, establish his own right-wing news outlet in Israel.
The prime minister has described Israeli media as “monolithic” and unrepresentative of large parts of the public, which he said was why he was trying to encourage the establishment of right-wing media.
“It’s inconceivable for there to be no representation. It’s a massive public… turn on the radio — left; go out — left; come home at night — left; watch the news… [it’s all] left, left, left; current affairs — left. Is this healthy?” Netanyahu demands.
Netanyahu argues that his efforts to have Packer buy Walla demonstrate his dissatisfaction with the news outlet’s coverage of him, asking the judges why he would want Elovitch to sell the site it provided him with the supportive coverage that prosecutors allege.
“If there was an agreement with Elovitch that I control the website and he gives me what I want and I give him what he wants, then why am I trying to get him to sell?” he asks.