JERUSALEM — Channel 14, a prominent right-wing Israeli television network long aligned with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and known for appealing to his core supporters, has shifted its tone sharply against former President Donald Trump following the announcement of a recent U.S.-brokered cease-fire deal.
The station, which until recently was an outspoken supporter of Trump, especially during the joint hardline stance against Iran, has seen its leading commentators sharply criticize the former president and his close aides since the deal was revealed last Sunday. The agreement, met with unease in Israel over concerns it fails to adequately safeguard Israeli security interests, has triggered a backlash among Netanyahu’s fervent media supporters, despite the government’s official restraint in publicly confronting Trump.
Tensions between Netanyahu and Trump reportedly intensified in recent weeks, with Trump openly disparaging the Israeli leader, including calling him “crazy” during a private phone conversation. These frictions appear to have emboldened Channel 14 personalities to express frustrations openly, perhaps serving as a proxy for critics within Netanyahu’s orbit.
Yinon Magal, host of the nightly talk show “The Patriots,” was among the most vocal detractors early Monday, branding Trump a “loser” in a social media post. Magal, who previously displayed enthusiastic support for Trump—wearing a “Trump 2024” cap on election night—accused Vice President JD Vance and Trump negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the latter also Trump’s son-in-law, of betraying Israeli interests. His commentary included the use of a controversial antisemitic slur in Hebrew, which drew condemnation from the Israeli Anti-Defamation League. Channel 14 distanced itself from the remarks, stating they were made on Magal’s personal social media account.
Magal declined to elaborate beyond citing a biblical verse from the Book of Esther, suggesting a call for vigilance and perseverance. He expressed the belief that Netanyahu himself was displeased with the deal and with Trump’s perceived disrespect toward the prime minister.
Other Channel 14 figures have echoed this critical stance. Yaakov Bardugo, a political commentator close to Netanyahu, likened Trump and Vance to “modern Chamberlains,” referencing the British appeasement of Nazi Germany. He accused Witkoff and Kushner of “total diplomatic bankruptcy.” Shimon Riklin, another channel personality, condemned Trump’s approach as “total surrender” to Iran’s ayatollahs.
Channel 14’s spokesman, Omer Meiri, rejected claims that the outlet is acting as Netanyahu’s mouthpiece, emphasizing a commitment to free speech and noting that the channel’s own reporters have also criticized the prime minister’s handling of the diplomatic developments.
Initially founded with a focus on Jewish tradition, Channel 14 now frequently outperforms mainstream Israeli broadcasters in prime-time viewership. Some media analysts suggest the sharp rebuke of Trump by the channel’s commentators may serve to shift public dissatisfaction away from Netanyahu as the diplomatic fallout unfolds.
In a subdued statement during a Monday news conference, Netanyahu acknowledged occasional disagreements with Trump, describing their relationship as one where they “often see eye to eye” but sometimes do not, “as happens in the best of families.”
Meanwhile, Channel 14 has actively amplified its commentators’ critiques by sharing clips and transcripts on its website, including remarks that depicted Trump as a leader who gave much but ultimately disappointed Israel’s public. Another commentator underscored Israel’s enduring sovereignty, stating the Israeli people existed long before Trump and will continue after him.