Full Breakdown
Acquisition of Channel 13 by Tech Group Led by Wiz CEO
3/14/2026, 6:06:48 PM
Channel 13's Ownership Transition
Billionaire Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries has signed a memorandum of understanding to sell control of Channel 13 to the Merit Foundation, backed by a consortium of tech entrepreneurs led by Assaf Rappaport, co-founder of Wiz. This agreement follows an earlier offer from a group of investors led by telecom businessman Patrick Drahi, who is perceived as a supporter of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The initial deal raised concerns among critics regarding potential government influence over media ownership. The Merit Foundation aims to ensure the channel's editorial independence, stating, “The citizens of Israel deserve an independent, patriotic, and strong news channel.”
Financial Context and Challenges
Channel 13 has faced significant financial difficulties, reportedly losing approximately NIS 340 million (around $110 million) between 2022 and 2025, with projections indicating a further loss of NIS 250 million ($80 million) by 2027. The Merit Foundation plans to invest about $120 million to revitalize the channel. The urgency of this acquisition was underscored by reports suggesting that the government might expedite the sale to Drahi while delaying the tech group’s acquisition.
Implications for Media Independence
The acquisition by the Merit Foundation is viewed as a critical step towards securing journalistic independence in Israel. The tech group has previously criticized the government, particularly regarding the contentious judicial overhaul. Concerns over potential layoffs and editorial bias were prevalent among unions and media critics, especially if Drahi's offer had been accepted.
Wiz's Historic Acquisition by Google
In a separate but related development, Google has finalized its acquisition of Wiz for $32 billion, marking the largest purchase of an Israeli-founded tech company. This deal, which was first announced in March 2025, is expected to inject approximately NIS 10 billion ($3.2 billion) into Israel’s state coffers in tax revenue. The acquisition reflects a significant endorsement of Israel's technology sector amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Founders' Background and Future Prospects
Wiz was founded by Assaf Rappaport, Yinon Costica, Ami Luttwak, and Roy Reznik, who previously worked together at Microsoft. The company has rapidly ascended in the cybersecurity space, surpassing competitors like Palo Alto Networks and CrowdStrike. Following the acquisition, Wiz will operate as an independent division within Google Cloud, maintaining its existing customer base, including those using competing platforms like Amazon's AWS.
Official Statements and Responses
Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, emphasized the importance of cybersecurity in today’s digital landscape, stating, “Keeping people safe online has always been part of Google's mission.” Meanwhile, the Merit Foundation expressed its commitment to fostering a strong and independent news channel in Israel.
Criticism and Opposition
Critics of the acquisition process have raised alarms about potential government interference and the implications for media plurality in Israel. Concerns persist regarding the future of Channel 13's editorial independence under new ownership.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the acquisition of Channel 13 by the Merit Foundation is seen as a positive step for media independence, discrepancies exist regarding the motivations behind the initial acceptance of Drahi's offer. Some sources suggest that regulatory pressures influenced the decision-making process, indicating a complex interplay between business and politics in media ownership.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Merit Foundation’s acquisition of Reshet 13 secures the channel’s future and its absolute editorial independence,” — Assaf Rappaport, Co-founder of Wiz
- “The finalization of Google’s acquisition of Wiz, roughly a year after it was first announced, sends a powerful signal about the strength and credibility of Israel’s technology ecosystem,” — Dror Bin, CEO of Israel Innovation Authority
- “Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, said: "Keeping people safe online has always been part of Google's mission.” — Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google
