Barkat denies: 'I did not try to oust Netanyahu. I committed in the past - I commit today'

Economy Minister Nir Barkat denies in an interview with Walla the reports that he tried to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after October 7. He presents the claims as recycled fake news and a timed attack by Channel 12 ahead of the Likud primaries. Barkat commits not to try to replace Netanyahu outside of elections, and presents achievements in his office, including price drops and reforms.

Economy Minister Nir Barkat strongly denies in an interview with Walla the reports that he was involved in an attempt to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the days after October 7. He calls the claims "absolute fake news" that has been recycled for three years, and presents them as part of a timed attack by Channel 12 against him ahead of the Likud primaries. According to him, the channel sees him as a major threat and tries to harm him and the Likud. Barkat notes that he denied these things in the past and continues to deny them, and that he clarified to the Prime Minister that the claims are not true. He refrains from committing to sue Channel 12, but says he will consider his steps. Barkat unequivocally commits not to try to replace Netanyahu outside of a contest against him in elections. He also presents achievements in his office: a drop of about 7% in the prices of standard products since January 2025, increased competition in retail chains, and the replacement of 24,000 Palestinian workers with 55,000 workers from peace countries.