"Facts are answered with facts": The exchange between Amit Segal and Shlomi Eldar escalates

The confrontation between commentator Amit Segal and journalist Shlomi Eldar escalated on X, after Segal published a column in Israel Hayom attacking Eldar's book about the UAE's warning to Netanyahu before October 7. Eldar responded that he is enjoying the campaign, as it proves his influence. Segal accused Eldar of spending years trying to convince that Hamas is not a satanic organization and opposing military operations. Eldar suggested Netanyahu summon him for a meeting and demanded a state commission of inquiry.

The confrontation between commentator Amit Segal and journalist Shlomi Eldar escalated on X, following a column Segal published in the weekend edition of Israel Hayom. In the column, titled "The Thousand and One Tales of Shlomi and Shlomi," Segal attacked Eldar's book with Ruthi Yuval, which revealed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a warning from the UAE days before the October 7 massacre. Segal claimed that Eldar had over the years opposed military operations against Hamas, called for economic relief for Gaza, and downplayed the organization. Eldar responded on his account that he is starting to enjoy the campaign, as it proves the immense influence he and Yuval had on Netanyahu's policy. He suggested Netanyahu summon him for a meeting, asked why Netanyahu did not pass him intelligence materials or summon him for security discussions, and called for the establishment of a state commission of inquiry. Segal replied that Eldar tried to convince that Hamas is "not a satanic organization," that it seeks peace, and that it was wrong to eliminate Yahya Ayyash. He added that a photo Eldar published of a woman in Rafah contributed to not flattening the Philadelphi Corridor and came at a cost of blood. Segal concluded by calling for facts to be answered with facts, not insults.