Full Breakdown
Leaked Messages Expose Netanyahu Campaign’s Close Media Ties
By Drooid · · How we work
Leaked Messages Reveal Coordination Between Campaign and Media Analyst
Hacked WhatsApp messages from Jonatan Urich, an adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, were published after Haaretz verified the leak. The excerpts show Urich exchanging advice with Amit Segal, chief political analyst for Channel 12 News and host of the Israeli version of *Meet the Press*. Segal counseled the campaign on video strategy and argued that Netanyahu’s handling of the aftermath of the October 7 attack is the campaign’s core political advantage. Urich also forwarded a draft speech that Netanyahu plans to deliver.
Election-Season Context
The disclosures arrive as Netanyahu seeks reelection in the late-October national elections, a contest that has been repeatedly disrupted by hacked and leaked documents aimed at destabilizing the polarising leader. The campaign’s media strategy has been a focal point of scrutiny, given the heightened stakes of the upcoming vote.
Key Players
- Jonatan Urich – adviser to Prime Minister Netanyahu, implicated in a separate scandal over alleged payments from Qatar.
- Amit Segal – chief political analyst for Channel 12 News and host of *Meet the Press*, who provided strategic messaging advice to the campaign.
- Benjamin Netanyahu – incumbent prime minister and candidate in the forthcoming elections.
Official Responses
Segal declined to comment on the messages when approached for a statement. Urich did not respond directly; however, a lawyer’s statement posted to X confirmed that Urich’s account had been hacked and warned that publishing the content could violate Israel’s Privacy Protection Law, which prohibits republishing material obtained through illegal means.
Implications for the Campaign
The leak underscores the campaign’s reliance on a prominent media figure for shaping its public narrative, reinforcing concerns about the intertwining of political strategy and broadcast journalism. Observers note that the emphasis on the October 7 attack’s aftermath may bolster Netanyahu’s appeal among voters who view his security credentials as a decisive factor, while the legal warning highlights the risks of disseminating hacked communications in Israel’s tightly regulated media environment.