Netanyahu Urges Unfollows From PUSH Instagram Page Amid Political Dispute
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged his followers to unfollow the PUSH Instagram news page, resulting in a loss of 4,000 followers within 48 hours amid an ongoing public dispute over alleged political bias.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently urged his followers to unfollow the PUSH news page on Instagram, following what he described as political bias. According to official data, the page lost approximately 4,000 followers within 48 hours of his video message, dropping from roughly 968,000 to 964,000 followers.
The Growth and Ownership Evolution of PUSH
The PUSH page, which operates a network of social media accounts, was originally founded by media figure Itzik Perzan under the name Real-Time Reports. Over the years, it evolved into one of the most prominent news outlets on Israeli Instagram, particularly among younger audiences. In 2021, Perzan sold 90% of the brand to Israel Bidor for 90,000 shekels, while remaining editor-in-chief as the subscriber base rapidly approached one million.
However, success on social media was accompanied by a severe legal dispute between the founder and the owners of Israel Bidor. By early 2025, the disagreements reached the courts over allegations of commercial and political interference in news content. The dispute concluded in August 2025 with a settlement estimated at 6 million shekels, through which Perzan repurchased the brand and its digital assets.
Subsequent Investments and Buybacks
Perzan's sole ownership did not last long, as strategic investors subsequently acquired stakes in the platform, including a 35% share acquired by Forever, a firm associated with strategic consultant Moti Scherf, alongside participation from the BRM investment group. In August, reports indicated that Perzan repurchased the 35% stake at a company valuation of 10 million shekels, increasing his ownership to 93%, with the remaining 7% held by the Weinberger Rentental law firm.
Netanyahu's Criticism and Public Reaction
The current confrontation erupted after a video published by Benjamin Netanyahu, in which he attacked the PUSH page for allegedly promoting the political agendas of his rivals. The Prime Minister stated that the platform disguises itself as a neutral news source while promoting political propaganda, prompting his followers to sever their connection with the account. While the loss of 4,000 followers represents a small fraction of the total audience, it highlights the tangible influence of political figures over digital media consumption in Israel.
