Mark gets it right here. This is journalistic malpractice. This is not a singular leak, but an extended campaign of leaks since the beginning of the war designed to delegitimize Netanyahu, and to instigate rifts first between Netanyahu and Biden, and now between Netanyahu and Trump.
Barak Ravid has reported dozens and dozens of leaks since 10/7 from anonymous “senior sources.” These reports have almost never been corroborated by anyone willing to put their name behind it.
And despite the track record, even some of Israel’s strongest supporters hang on every one of these dangerous reports.
Fortunately, President Trump and PM Netanyahu have refused to give into the noise.
MORE RE YESTERDAY'S LEAK ABOUT THE PHONE CALL BETWEEN POTUS AND BIBII
Barack Ravid at Axios should be fired. Reason: his story was largely fabricated by those leaking anonymously leaking to him. The media need to take seriously the accuracy of what they report and these media companies need to clean up their messes. Axios should issue an immediate correction and apology, and the DOJ/FBI should open a criminal investigation today. A criminal investigation is warranted because of the nature of the leak and the purpose, which was to damage relations between our country and Israel, give aid and support to the enemy, and influence the course of the war/negotiations in a way that is harmful to our country.
I have already commented on the actual substance of the call: Israel must be free to destroy Hezbollah. Hezbollah continues to rain thousands of missiles and drones against Israel, at the direction of its Iranian regime masters. Israel is a sovereign nation that must and will protect its people. Let's recall that Hezbollah has killed hundreds of Americans, including Marines, over the years. They are doing us a favor as well by taking on Hezbollah, which we've refused to do for decades.
Moreover, Iran must not be able to dictate terms of any agreement, including its demand to protect Hezbollah should any deal be struck (and, obviously, I've made my opposition to any deal known -- the regime needs to be eliminated if we, in our country, as well as the rest of the world, are to be finally free of the Islamist nuclear and terror threat -- see my monologue last Sunday on Fox).