Channel 12 Reporter Mocks Netanyahu Over Terror Victim

Channel 12 correspondent Tzion Nanos sparked controversy Thursday after posting a sarcastic response to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement regarding Neriya Leiter, who was critically wounded in a terror attack.

In a post on his X account, Nanos wrote mockingly: "What luck that Netanyahu is prime minister and instructed the surgeons to do everything to save Neriya's life. Without that directive, the surgeons probably would have slacked off and not done everything."

The Channel 12 reporter concluded his post by adding: "Refuah shleimah to Neriya Leiter."

Reserve soldier Neriya Leiter, approximately 30 years old and a resident of Eli, was critically injured Wednesday evening in a ramming attack at the Maccabim checkpoint on Route 443. Leiter is the son of Yechiel Leiter, Israel's ambassador to the United States. Following the attack, numerous political figures and settlement leaders issued statements of support and prayers for his recovery.

Defense Minister Israel Katz addressed Leiter's condition and wished him a speedy recovery. "I am praying for the swift recovery of Neriya Leiter, an IDF reserve soldier who was critically wounded in the terror attack at the Maccabim checkpoint, son of Israel's ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter," Katz stated.

The defense minister also reached out personally to the victim's father, adding: "Yechiel, I am strengthening you and your family and praying together with all of Israel for your son's recovery."

In the community of Eli, where Leiter resides, local officials called on the public to pray for his recovery. "Neriya Leiter, son of Chani, was critically wounded today in the ramming attack," the community secretariat announced.