Raviv Drucker
Raviv DruckerFlash 90

Reporter Raviv Drucker told Army Radio on Tuesday the high-profile 'social protests' that have dominated the airwaves are a result the Israeli media's political agenda.

"Without a doubt the media have a political agenda," Drucker said.  "The way the media has pushed this protest is unprecedented." 
 
Drucker noted, "It's more a protest by the media because media people identify with struggles in general."
 
Drucker opined the the Israeli media's solidarity with this particular protest resulted from two factors.
 
"Most media people are middle class. Many work hard to succeed in their jobs and still live with their parents," Drucker said.
 
"No doubt there is also a political agenda. Most media people think Bibi is a prime minister whose policy shows a lack of vision. The media wants to stir up resistance to his rule to effect change."
 
Most mainstream media in Israel are left wing and have a visceral dislike of Netanyahu.
 
Recent polls, however, suggest that Israelis want changes in social welfare policy rather than a change in leadership.
 
Some analysts, however, note the media-frenzy has given a podium to radical elements and opposition politicians far more than it has focused on the root elements of the problem and what practical steps can be taken to fix it.
 
One media personality heavily vested in amping the social protests is Yair Lapid, who has openly expressed his desire to rebuild his late father, the abrasive Tommy Lapid's militantly secular, left-of-center Shinui party in the coming elections.