The conflict between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the left-leaning newspaper Haaretz has escalated, with the government initiating a boycott of the publication.
In response, Haaretz Editor-in-Chief Aluf Benn criticised the move in an editorial titled "Haaretz Will Not Be Silenced by Netanyahu."
Benn accused Netanyahu of disliking Haaretz’s critical stance on his policies, particularly regarding the occupation, annexation of territories, and denial of Palestinian rights.
Benn alleged in his editorial that Netanyahu’s coalition is attempting to financially undermine Haaretz and Israel’s public broadcaster, both viewed as too independent by the government.
“Netanyahu’s henchmen want to delegitimise and strangle our organisation financially—but we are not alone in the government’s crosshairs,” Benn wrote.
He also accused the government of preparing anti-democratic bills and supporting settlement expansion in Gaza.
The controversy follows a unanimous cabinet decision on November 24 to sanction Haaretz.
The move, spearheaded by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi (Likud), was reportedly a reaction to Haaretz’s critical coverage of the Israel-Hamas war and remarks by its publisher, Amos Schocken, advocating sanctions on Israeli officials for alleged breaches of international law.
Minister Karhi justified the boycott on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “We won’t allow a reality in which a newspaper publisher calls for sanctions against Israel during a war and continues to receive financial support from the state. Freedom of expression, yes. Funding poison against the state and army? Absolutely not.”
Haaretz has vowed to resist government pressure, asserting, “We will not become a government pamphlet publishing messages approved by the prime minister.”
Analysts suggest the boycott could face legal challenges in Israel’s Supreme Court, questioning whether the government can direct advertising agencies to avoid the newspaper.
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