[89593] The Rabbi Zamir Cohen storm and the impersonator affair at Channel 13

[89593] The Rabbi Zamir Cohen storm and the impersonator affair at Channel 13

Tensions surrounding the police and the impersonator affair at Channel 13

Over the past day, social networks in Israel have been in an uproar over two main issues. The first issue concerns a sharp statement by Rabbi Zamir Cohen regarding the police. In a message distributed across many Telegram channels, including Yinon Magal (known for a right-wing conservative line and support for the government), Israel News | No Censorship, News Line, News Arena, and Political Updates, the Rabbi called on police officers to refrain from using force against yeshiva students.

Rabbi Cohen compared harming a yeshiva student to harming the fundamental values of the Jewish people, saying: "To injure a yeshiva boy is like tearing a Torah scroll!!". His words, which were described as a "direct, painful, and shattering appeal" by Israel News | No Censorship, sparked a massive echo on social media against the backdrop of growing tensions surrounding the conscription and protests of Haredi Jews.

In addition, the News in Real Time on Telegram channel reported on an embarrassment at Channel 13. According to journalist Ran Boker, an employee who was discovered to be an impersonator was exposed by a "Big Brother" star and was fired. Boker was quoted in News in Real Time on Telegram as saying: "Let's just say I saved the channel from an employee who could have caused them an abnormal scale of mess." Channel 13 stated in response that they indeed fell victim to an impersonator, but she was fired immediately upon her exposure without any damage being caused to the newsroom.