Conflict of Interest Rules and Media Ownership Disputes

Israeli Minister Nir Barkat has firmly rejected claims that his brother was involved in acquiring the Push news website, contradicting a report published in the Israeli business daily Calcalist. The denial came during an interview last week with Eli Gotthelf on the "Kikar FM" podcast, produced by Kikar Hashabat.

When Gotthelf asked directly whether there had been any business relationship between Barkat's brother and Posh, the minister responded emphatically: "Listen carefully, it's all lies and falsehood."

Pressed on whether any transaction had taken place, Barkat explained at length that due to his position as a government minister and the conflict-of-interest arrangement governing his conduct, he has no information about such matters.

"I'm explaining this to you once and twice. First of all, as a minister I have no idea what this is about, no idea. When people ask me about it, I have no idea," Barkat said.

He added that he is not permitted to investigate the matter: "I'm also not allowed to ask, according to my conflict-of-interest arrangement. There's a lawyer who was agreed upon between the Attorney General and... the State Comptroller and my people. Okay? What I'm allowed to do, what I'm forbidden to do, and I'm careful about it."

Eli Gotthelf interview Barkat (Video: Kikar Hashabbat)

Barkat continued: "And one of the things I'm forbidden to do and I'm careful not to do is not to talk to them, it doesn't interest me. I only work through the channel they agreed with me. Okay? So I have no idea. I have no idea."

He then addressed the underlying allegation behind the question: "What's the claim? That my brother or friends bought Push for me, and now these people are bribing me through this channel? It's simply insane."

However, in November 2025, Calcalist reported that Barkat's brother, the family investment company BRM, and associates close to the minister together purchased a 45% stake in Push. According to that report, the transaction valued the news site at approximately 12 million shekels (roughly $3.3 million).

The publication claimed that alongside the Barkat family, the buyers included strategic adviser Moti Sharaf and the law firm Weinberger Rentental, which represents Barkat in his private affairs. The report further stated that the law firm held 7% of the brand through a company called "The Right Time," while the main investment was made by Forever Meta Worlds.

Gottlieb returned to the central question one more time: "So you're saying it never happened? Your brother and your friends didn't buy Posh at all? Meaning, no deal even started?" Nir Barkat replied: "Do I need to repeat this again?"