Naftali Bennett, chairman of the 'Unity' party, gave today (Wednesday), for the first time after the unification with Yair Lapid, a series of interviews to television channels - 11, 12, 13 and i24 - which were broadcast during the main editions.
The one who didn't conduct an interview was Channel 14. Why?
Bennett tweeted: "Tonight at 8:00 PM I will be interviewed on all news editions: 12, 13, 11 and i24. You are welcome to watch. Together." He added: "The Channel 14 people were offered an interview in the same format, but they were afraid.".
Channel 14 responded: "Bennett is not telling the truth. The reason why an interview with him did not take place is that he disqualified the interviewers that the channel proposed.".
Michael Shemesh, the political correspondent for 'Kan HaHados', wrote: "Channel 14 offered Bennett an interview on the condition that the interviewers be Yaakov Bardugo or Boaz Golan. Bennett's office demanded 'an interview with the presenters of the editions.'".
More established this evening, media figure Barak Sari claimed: "Naftali Bennett recorded interviews today for television channels that will be broadcast tonight in editions. The interviews were for channels 11, 12, 13 and i24. Channel 14 was also offered the opportunity, but they preferred not to interview him.".
He added and sneered: "The media is a joke.".
Yinon Magal, host of "The Patriots" on Channel 14, was quick to respond. Magal rejected Sari's words and presented a different version of the events: "If Bennett really wanted to be interviewed on Channel 14, he wouldn't have contacted them today three, five hours before the broadcast, and still dictate who would interview him.".
Magal also attacked Sari, calling him a "failed mouthpiece" - and scolded: "And then he sends the (failed) mouthpiece to outline the manipulation. Sari, this is embarrassing.".
