We're loading the full news article for you. This includes the article content, images, author information, and related articles.
Union warns of a "hostile takeover" as pro-Netanyahu billionaire Patrick Drahi moves to acquire a stake in Israel’s defiant news broadcaster.

A battle for the soul of Israeli democracy is unfolding in a corporate boardroom. The Union of Journalists in Israel has launched a desperate rearguard action to stop British billionaire Sir Leonard Blavatnik from selling a pivotal stake in Channel 13 to media tycoon Patrick Drahi, warning that the deal could silence one of the few remaining critics of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Channel 13 has long been a thorn in the side of the Netanyahu administration, airing dogged investigations into the Prime Minister’s financial dealings and government conduct. Blavatnik’s decision to offload his 15 per cent stake is viewed not as a business transaction, but as a capitulation. The buyer, Patrick Drahi, is the owner of the rival i24News and the Hot cable network—outlets widely perceived as sympathetic, if not subservient, to the current government. Journalists fear this is a "hostile takeover" in slow motion, designed to neuter the channel’s editorial independence ahead of upcoming elections.
The proposed sale has set off alarm bells across Israel’s civil society. Drahi, a French-Israeli telecoms magnate, is already embroiled in debt battles in the US, but in Israel, his media empire is expanding. Critics argue that by acquiring Blavatnik’s stake, he would become the de facto controlling power at Channel 13, as Blavatnik has reportedly ceased investing after years of losses. The fear is that Drahi will align the channel’s tone with his other assets, creating a media landscape dominated by pro-government voices.
"This is an unlawful deal which is likely to further erode press freedom," the Union of Journalists stated bluntly. They describe it as part of a "master plan to capture the media," a strategy attributed to Netanyahu’s inner circle to insulate the government from scrutiny. The Union has appealed directly to Blavatnik, invoking his reputation as a philanthropist to halt a deal that they say would betray the public interest.
As the deal awaits regulatory approval, the mood in the Channel 13 newsroom is one of existential dread. Anat Saragusti, overseeing press freedom for the Union, called it a "lose-lose for the Israeli public." If the sale goes through, Israel risks losing a vital check on power. In a country deeply divided, the silencing of a major critical voice would not just be a business merger; it would be a darkening of the democratic light.
Keep the conversation in one place—threads here stay linked to the story and in the forums.
Sign in to start a discussion
Start a conversation about this story and keep it linked here.
Other hot threads
E-sports and Gaming Community in Kenya
Active 9 months ago
The Role of Technology in Modern Agriculture (AgriTech)
Active 9 months ago
Popular Recreational Activities Across Counties
Active 9 months ago
Investing in Youth Sports Development Programs
Active 9 months ago