Channel 14, a ultranationalist Israeli television channel backed by the government, has become one of the country’s most-watched news sources despite allegations from liberal groups that it incites war crimes. The channel’s talkshow, “Patriots,” is known for its virulent rhetoric on Gaza, and its popularity has contributed to the shift of Israeli public opinion to the extreme right. The channel has even questioned the loyalty of the Israeli army, with a recent broadcast showing a doctored picture of the IDF’s chief of staff, Herzi Halevi, with a distorted face. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has accused the channel of inciting against its leadership and has filed a complaint with the broadcasting authority. Three Israeli civil society groups have also demanded that the attorney general investigate the channel for broadcasting material that incites war crimes and crimes against humanity, including genocide. However, Channel 14’s lawyers deny these allegations, claiming that they are baseless and defamatory. The channel has received support from Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has granted it an exclusive interview.
Israel’s top-rated news outlet is now the ultra-nationalist TV channel, commanding a growing audience.
