Bardugo vs. Keri: I don't believe in a court of law, invites the minister to a Torah trial

November 17, 2024   

Channel 14 commentator Yaakov Bardugo responded today (Sunday) to the accusations leveled against him by Communications Minister Shlomo Kari - and invited him to a Torah hearing. Yaakov Bardugo said on his radio show 'Gale Yisrael': "I would invite Minister Kari to court in a defamation lawsuit for his publication against me regarding the failure to close the corporation, but since I do not believe in the courts in Israel, I invite him to a Torah hearing before his eminent rabbi, the great of the generation, Rabbi Mazuz, and let's see what comes of it... Two years of not closing the corporation despite promises, what were you elected for if you cannot govern?" Minister Kari went on the offensive earlier today - and wrote: "I have kept this information to this day because I believe that actions will speak in the end, but since there are those who do not stop inciting, you also deserve to know the truth." He elaborated: "Take, for example, the radio law that I am promoting that will give 'Gale Israel' the ability to broadcast throughout the country. Bardugo fought this law, met with Knesset members two weeks ago, and made sure to block its promotion because of his and his friends' petty interests, and then with crocodile tears he cries on the radio about the fact that 'the Minister of Communications does not allow Gale Israel to broadcast in the north.' A convicted liar." He added: "By the way, regarding the corporation, unlike others, I unequivocally support the privatization of the corporation and until that happens, in compliance with the legal requirements of balance and diversity in its broadcasts. It is a complex process and I am working on it in several arenas: 1. The corporation's council is going home this week and in the meantime Yitzhak Amit is freezing the appointment of the new council. But we will win in the end. They will have no choice. 2. ⁠Two laws that I promoted and passed in draft form, one by MK Kellner to supervise the corporation's budget and one by MK Boaron to transfer the budget to the state budget, including the decision of a ministerial committee to reduce the news and current affairs budget to a minimum. Awaiting a discussion in the Economics Committee. 3. ⁠A government decision that I passed two weeks ago to cut 15% in the corporation's budget already in the 2025 budget. Waiting for the Ministry of Finance to pass a draft of the law to the Arrangements Law. 4. ⁠I gave my law to several Knesset members "For the privatization of the corporation, but so far they have not brought it up to the ministerial committee for legislation. Maybe that will happen soon too. Pressure them too. My support is guaranteed." Kari also wrote: "There are many factors that are stopping moves regarding the privatization of the corporation in general and its news and current affairs in particular. I am the Minister of Communications, but I need legislation in the Knesset. Without it, the legal counsel to the government has already written to the corporation that I have no authority to intervene. I have sent several letters about bias and incitement, and nothing has helped. "In addition, I also gave the law for the privatization of the GLA to a number of MKs, and so far they have not raised it. I hope that the new Minister of Defense will finally lead, with me, the closure of this unnecessary, political military station. A free and competitive market. "There is no place for publicly funded news and current affairs," he added. "I hope that the chairman of the Economics Committee, MK Bitan, and the Knesset members will join me and together we will put an end to this and open the market to real competition." He signed off: "Remember that I am here to serve the public. I am only obligated to the public. Anyone who knows my part in overthrowing the previous government knows this well. And all those who only incite against me all day long serve small economic interests and nothing more. Together, God willing, we will succeed. It will not help anyone. From the left or the so-called right. Ultimately, I believe that with God's help we will win this struggle. But it is a long process and everyone must mobilize. And most importantly, ignore vested interests like Bardugo. He is not really right-wing.".