Hack reveals Netanyahu campaign's media ties

Hack exposes Netanyahu's campaign's close ties to media

Messages from an adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have revealed the close relationship between his reelection campaign and the media. This is not the first time such documents have been hacked and leaked, causing further instability for the divisive leader ahead of the upcoming elections on October 27. The latest breach originated from the WhatsApp account of Netanyahu's aide, Jonatan Urich, who exposed sensitive information through a charm-coded media-monitoring app. Haaretz confirmed the leak as verified.

The hacked messages contain conversations between Urich and Amit Segal, a key media figure who is the chief political analyst for Channel 12 News and the host of a program similar to the US show. Segal offers advice on the campaign's videos and messaging, emphasizing that Netanyahu's handling of the aftermath of the October 7 attack will be his main political advantage. He also mentions that he shared this same advice with Netanyahu's campaign spokeswoman.

Another message shared by Urich includes a speech Netanyahu plans to deliver. However, Segal declined to comment on the messages. Urich, who is also involved in a scandal over payments from Qatar, did not respond to inquiries regarding the leak. In a lawyer's statement posted on X, he confirmed that he had been hacked and threatened legal consequences against anyone who published the content of the leaks. According to Israel's Privacy Protection Law, republishing content obtained through illegal means is prohibited.

The hack has raised questions about the alignment between journalists and politicians in Israel. Segal, despite being a center-right figure generally aligned with Netanyahu, is also a top journalist who appears on international platforms as an independent analyst. Israeli commentators expressed shock and surprise at the extent of the closeness between the journalist and the spin doctor.

One Israeli journalist compared Segal's role in Israel to that of Fox News host Bret Baier, who maintains journalistic independence despite working for a right-wing platform.

These messages have damaged Segal's image and shed light on the close relationship between the media and the Israeli prime minister. The hack is yet another example of cyber campaigns affecting the region's politics, as reported by Semafor in 2023, which revealed extensive, leaked Iranian government communications attempting to influence US politics.