Sara Netanyahu is denying an unsourced Channel 12 news report that claimed she is pushing for the ouster of Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and Museum head Dani Dayan over the fact that a singer linked to anti-government protests was invited to sing at a memorial there.
The premier’s wife, heading with him to Cyprus, terms the report a “fake news attack” and says rather than oppose singer Keren Peles, she was moved by her performance.
“I heard Keren Peles, I didn’t know about her before, I don’t about her since, there’s no basis for any of the rest of the story that I censored this or that, the opposite in fact,” she tells reporters.
Nothing happened, she insists. “The performer sang, she sang well, I have no clue and had none then or now if she is involved in the protests.”
Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the allegations himself at the same time, claiming that the previous unity government had replaced every political appointee who was aligned with the right wing and his Likud partyand yet no one accused it of politicizing those offices.
Netanyahu declines, however, to say whether the government would be sticking with its effort to remove Dayan.
“There is no politicization but unfortunately there is no shortage of fake news,” he says.
Dayan reportedly booked Peles months before the overhaul was unveiled.
Responsibly covering this tumultuous time
As The Times of Israel’s political correspondent, I spend my days in the Knesset trenches, speaking with politicians and advisers to understand their plans, goals and motivations.
I'm proud of our coverage of this government's plans to overhaul the judiciary, including the political and social discontent that underpins the proposed changes and the intense public backlash against the shakeup.
Your support through The Times of Israel Community helps us continue to keep readers across the world properly informed during this tumultuous time. Have you appreciated our coverage in past months? If so, please join the ToI Community today.
~ Carrie Keller-Lynn, Political Correspondent
Yes, I'll join
Yes, I'll join
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
You're a dedicated reader
We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.
That’s why we started the Times of Israel eleven years ago - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.
For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you,
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel
Join Our Community
Join Our Community
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this