MK Oren Hazan (Likud) is not impressed with what has been reported regarding the investigation into a recorded meeting between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Yediot Ahronot publisher Arnon "Noni" Mozes.
"Who in this house (the Knesset, ed.) has not made deals with journalists, reporters, and investigators? There are real moles in the Knesset, media moles who move around and purposely mislead the MKs." Hazan told Arutz Sheva.
He said that while it was appropriate for MKs to maintain contact with members of the press, "the question is what level [those contacts are maintained]. What struck me, and I tell you from the heart that this could be the story that will shatter the myth that the more the press reviles you the more the public loves you, that sometimes 'not everything which you see from here you can see from there' and that reality will soon change a bit."
Hazan noted that all the politicians who are being interviewed about the investigations against Netanyahu are silent about powerful Yediot Ahronot publisher Arnon Mozes. "Suddenly there is another side to the coin, and this side is turns out to be a respected member of the media. Suddenly many politicians shut their mouths, stop talking, and end the meeting."
"A kind of balance of terror has been created between the politicians and the media which causes people to stay silent. It's sad. If you have something to say, say it, even if you have to pay a price for it." he said.
According to Hazan, it is ridiculous to believe that Netanyahu needed Mozes and Yediot Ahronot. "I heard [the allegations] and I would advise realizing that the prime minister was just fine and is still just fine - the slander that the mudslinging media has created around the story has only strengthened his position and strengthened the position of the Likud."
"The reality is that Prime Minister Netanyahu was elected with thirty seats despite the [fact that] the Yediot Ahronot newspaper stood publicly against him,' Hazan said.