Israeli News Publisher Caught Promising Bibi Better Coverage
Arnon Mozes, publisher of the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, was taped promising to bash Benjamin Netanuyahu’s political rivals in the paper in exchange for a business advantage, in the latest twist of a police anti-corruption probe into the Israeli prime minister.
According to Haaretz, Mozes pledged to attack Economy Minister Naftali Bennett and his Jewish Home party, uneasy partners with Likud in the reigning coalition, if Bibi would push a bill that would limit the circulation of Israel Hayom, a Sheldon Adelson-funded free newspaper that has eaten away at the profits of Yedioth Ahronoth.
Bennett has previously called out bias in the broadsheet’s coverage of him, writing that the newspaper is “firing a bullet of falsehood at my head,” and pointing out “a media offensive on the Jewish Home in general, and on me in particular.”
Police are investigating Netanyahu and Mozes for alleged collusion. Police are also investigating Netanyahu for taking illegal gifts like champagne and cigars, worth hundreds of thousands of shekels, from business leaders.
Contact Daniel J. Solomon at solomon@forward.com or on Twitter @DanielJSolomon
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