Former Likud minister Benny Begin has released a scathing rebuke against Yediot Achronot calling the report alleging Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was willing to return to the pre-1967 borders in talks with the PA (Palestinian Authority) libelous.

Begin stated ‘lies always come out’, explaining at times the lies have different fathers. In this case he pointed to Yediot correspondent Nachum Barnea and the newspaper’s publisher, Arnon Mozes. Begin used words including “contemptible and libelous” in his criticism of the Yediot story.

He then targeted Barnea personally, citing an incident dating back two decades which he used to show his political bias. He stated articles that are released by Barnea must be viewed in the context of who they serve, stating he intentionally misleads the public to serve his own agenda, in this case the Labor party, Yitzchak Herzog and Tzipi Livni

He then turned to Yediot Achronot’s tenacious efforts to eliminate the now leading newspaper, Yisrael Hayom, which is more aligned with the prime minister and the right-wing. He shows the hypocrisy of the so-called “champions of democracy”, adding that despite the fact that former US Ambassador to Israel Dennis Ross denied the accuracy of the Yediot report, it still appears on the Yediot Achronot affiliated Ynet website.

Joining in the criticism, Knesset Speaker (Likud) Yuli Edelstein stated the report is simply intended to undermine Likud. The speaker stated for Yediot it is about one thing, keeping Mr. Netanyahu from becoming prime minister again.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)