Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu sat down for his first interview with the Israeli media in over a year, to speak to Channel 2 about a range of topics from the Palestinian negotiations to housing prices.
The interview also touched on Netanyahu's personal life, specifically his rocky relationship with the media.
Recalling a staff member who threatened to publicize information meant to embarrass the prime minister and his wife, Netanyahu was disconcerted.
"A person is in your house, and what, he's going to record you? How did this become the norm? This is something that goes against all moral and personal reason," he said. "Even the prime minister deserves privacy. 'Which toilet paper does the prime minister use and would he endorse it?' There's just no end to it."
Netanyahu went on to lament what he sees as the ease with which the media encourages former employees to say whatever they want, promising them a stage for their gossip.
"There's a lot of snooping and a lot of double standards, and everyone understands that," he said. "Criticism, exposure, that's fine. But there is also a measure of truth, and I think that here the media crosses a line, and I think that the people of Israel understand that as well."
In response to questions about negotiations with the Palestinians, he said, "Obviously some of the settlements won't be part of the agreement, everybody understands that." However, he made clear that he was not planning on leaving any Israeli citizen without the proper security.
Netanyahu also touched on issues of housing and food prices, saying he "does not intend to abandon this front" despite his focus on Iran, terrorism, the BDS movement and foreign investment.Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu sat down for his first interview with the Israeli media in over a year, to speak to Channel 2 about a range of topics from the Palestinian negotiations to housing prices.
The interview also touched on Netanyahu's personal life, specifically his rocky relationship with the media.
Recalling a staff member who threatened to publicize information meant to embarrass the prime minister and his wife, Netanyahu was disconcerted.
"A person is in your house, and what, he's going to record you? How did this become the norm? This is something that goes against all moral and personal reason," he said. "Even the prime minister deserves privacy. 'Which toilet paper does the prime minister use and would he endorse it?' There's just no end to it."
Netanyahu went on to lament what he sees as the ease with which the media encourages former employees to say whatever they want, promising them a stage for their gossip.
"There's a lot of snooping and a lot of double standards, and everyone understands that," he said. "Criticism, exposure, that's fine. But there is also a measure of truth, and I think that here the media crosses a line, and I think that the people of Israel understand that as well."
In response to questions about negotiations with the Palestinians, he said, "Obviously some of the settlements won't be part of the agreement, everybody understands that." However, he made clear that he was not planning on leaving any Israeli citizen without the proper security.
Netanyahu also touched on issues of housing and food prices, saying he "does not intend to abandon this front" despite his focus on Iran, terrorism, the BDS movement and foreign investment.