Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu is facing sharp criticism from the right over a prerecorded television interview scheduled to air on Friday night, with Channel 14 host Boaz Golan accusing the prime minister of showing disrespect for Shabbos despite frequently invoking siyata diShmaya.
Netanyahu sat for an interview with i24NEWS journalist Naveh Dromi that is scheduled to be broadcast Friday night as part of the network’s “Friday Cabinet” program. The interview itself was recorded in advance and did not take place on Shabbos.
The Netanyahu interview is expected to serve as a centerpiece of the program, which i24NEWS has promoted with language that includes the phrase “Opening Shabbat.” Netanyahu has previously faced criticism over a similar situation involving a prerecorded interview that was broadcast on Friday night.
Following news of the planned broadcast, Golan, a prominent right-wing media personality and Channel 14 presenter, issued a blistering criticism of Netanyahu on Thursday evening, arguing that such an appearance by a sitting Israeli prime minister is highly unusual.
“From a quick search I conducted: Since the establishment of the state, no sitting prime minister has given an interview to a program broadcast on Friday night (even an interview filmed in advance). Not even to a program that would show portions of the interview and perhaps broadcast the rest after Shabbos,” Golan wrote.
Golan pointed out that Netanyahu himself had done something similar in 2010 but subsequently apologized and pledged to be more careful in the future.
“The only one who did so in 2010 was Benjamin Netanyahu, and afterward he apologized and promised to be careful about it going forward. This week he is doing it again!” Golan wrote. The assertion was based on Golan’s own review of previous prime ministers’ television appearances.
Golan concluded his criticism by invoking Netanyahu’s own references to Divine assistance during Israel’s ongoing war.
“Someone who speaks in the media about ‘siyata diShmaya’ in an existential war cannot disgrace Shabbos — the source of blessing for the Jewish people,” he wrote.
Golan then added a single word: “Disgrace.”
The latest controversy is not the first time Golan has taken Netanyahu to task over matters involving Shabbos. In February 2025, he strongly criticized the Prime Minister’s Office for issuing non-urgent statements during Shabbos.
“I’m going to say something here that is unpleasant to say: Lapid and Bennett violated Shabbos less with announcements than Netanyahu, and that needs to be said,” Golan said at the time.
Golan also urged Israel’s religious political parties to treat government activity on Shabbos as a red line, arguing that remaining in a coalition should depend upon respect for Shabbos.
“Over Shabbos, one should leave a government,” he said, adding, “Government ministries are not supposed to work on Shabbos.”
{Matzav.com}
