Channel 12 anchor criticizes Netanyahu and Likud: Details from the live broadcast

Nesli Barda, an anchor at Channel 12 News, addressed the results of the Likud primaries, which sparked a storm of reactions from both senior political figures and Israeli media journalists.

"Look very carefully at these faces, they are the cherry on top of the Likud. Congratulations to Eli Cohen, Amir Ohana, and Yariv Levin. Reaching the top of the elected list in the primaries is no small feat; great power lies in their hands. It is worth checking: did this trio make it to the top thanks to their exceptional public work in the last term, or perhaps thanks to other things?"

Later in her remarks, Barda addressed the activity of the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure: "Eli Cohen is a politician who is apparently gray. In 2024, he launched a reform opening the electricity market to competition, and half a million customers moved to private companies that lowered prices. That is a great thing, truly. But is that what bought him the first place? A month ago, the police announced there is an evidentiary basis against Minister Cohen that, as Foreign Minister, he unlawfully issued coveted diplomatic passports to mayors, political associates, and the Prime Minister's son. Cohen denies everything. He is also a very familiar face at Likud events. Listen carefully: he did not miss a single event. So for which of these was he rewarded?"

After that, the anchor discussed Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana: "What is his most prominent activity in such a stormy term? Turning a state position into a deeply political one. He testifies about himself: 'I am the toughest Knesset Speaker with the judicial system, more than all my predecessors.' Ohana demonstratively called Supreme Court President Isaac Amit 'the judge' instead of 'Supreme Court President.' He used the entrance to the Knesset as a tool to reward political associates. In 2025, it was revealed that Ohana issued 59 permanent entry permits to the Knesset, including 10 to Likud branch heads and 26 to key activists. Ohana also knew how to leave out those who were less politically convenient, such as, at times, families of hostages who expressed criticism."

Finally, Nesli Barda turned the viewers' attention to Minister of Justice Yariv Levin: "The founder of the judicial revolution, with all its many laws that passed and did not pass. Weakening the Supreme Court, trying to fire the Attorney General, delaying the appointment of judges. From his point of view, everything is kosher if it returns power to the government. Is that what bought him a place at the top? It could very well be. One just needs to remember that Yariv Levin is also a record holder in visits to events of central committee members. He, the Minister of Justice, did not shy away from supporting and praising Rafi Kadosh, a former criminal and a key vote coordinator in the Likud at present."