Recent recordings of conversations between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper publisher Arnon Mozes, which aired on Channel 13 on Saturday, illustrated the prime minister's adamant efforts to fight the daily's biased coverage of him and his family.
The tapes are at the heart of an investigation against Netanyahu dubbed Case 2,000. It centers on conversations Netanyahu had with Mozes, during which they allegedly discussed striking an illicit deal by which Yedioth would soften its aggressive anti-Netanyahu stance in return for the prime minister using his influence to curtail Israel Hayom's activities in ways that would benefit Yedioth financially. The agreement was never implemented.
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In the recordings, which aired on Channel 13's investigative journalism show "The Source," Netanyahu and Mozes are heard apparently negotiating the issue of favorable coverage. The conversation took place in late 2014.
At some point, Netanyahu is also heard warning Mozes that if the biased coverage continues, he would retaliate "using all the tools at my disposal. … I'll make it my life's mission."
Another recording has Netanyahu and Mozes discussing increasing positive coverage for Netanyahu in Yedioth, in exchange for the prime minister supporting a bill that would restrict Israel Hayom's operations.
"I'm not talking about just whether you drop it [hostile coverage] from 9.5 to 7.5 – I'm speaking in terms of honesty and reasonable reporting," Netanyahu is heard on the tapes, to which Mozes answers, "Come on, that's obvious, let it go. It [the coverage] has to make sure you are the prime minister."
A statement by the Prime Minister's Office said: "Prime Minister Netanyahu carried idle conversations with Noni Mozes. Even the State Attorney's Office admits he had no intention of allowing the bill to shutter Israel Hayom to pass. On the contrary, Prime Minister Netanyahu is the only one who acted against the bill."
"In contrast, [MKs] Eitan Cabel, Tzipi Livni, [Yesh Atid leader] Yair Lapid and [Yisrael Beytenu head] Avigdor Lieberman endorsed the bill and received stellar coverage [in Yediotj] in return. It's absurd that Netanyahu is prosecuted and others are not."
Commenting on the fact the tapes were obtained by "The Source" the statement said, "This evening, too, a criminal and biased leak [from the investigation] was aired in order to hurt the prime minister and divert attention from the stench of the enforceable enforcement."
"Anyone who hears all the recordings of Netanyahu and Mozes' conversations understands that Mozes is the one blackmailing and threatening Netanyahu – and that Netanyahu is making it clear that he will respond by a media attack on Mozes, as he did during the [2015] election campaign."
The legal team representing Mozes issued a statement saying, "As we argued in the hearing, there is no basis to view Mozes' conversations with Netanyahu as a bribe, and any such interpretation is incorrect and fails to match the facts of the case. The pre-indictment material clearly states that Netanyahu was the one who initiated these conversations. It says nothing about Mozes offering him positive coverage."
"As we have stressed, Mozes said that Netanyahu's cooperation with Yedioth Ahronoth's reporters and editors will lead to more balanced coverage. As we argued at the hearing, a full review of the reality and the complex discourse that existed between the two not only does not support criminal interpretation, but contradicts it."
"We made our case before the prosecution at the hearing, and we believe that the case will be closed, and it will be made clear that Mozes did not commit a criminal offense. The media blitz we have witnessed in recent days appears to be an attempt to pressure the attorney general," the statement concluded.
Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit is expected to decide the fate of the investigations concerning Netanyahu in the coming weeks.
