Antitrust Authority officials are divided about the sale of Hebrew daily "Makor Rishon" to freesheet "Israel Today". Sources inform ''Globes'' that some officials oppose the sale and want to block it, while others want to approve it under strict restrictions related to the consolidation of content between the newspapers. The Antitrust Authority is reportedly leaning in the latter direction.
Antitrust Authority director general David Gilo has not yet stated his position on the case, and discussions are continuing.
There are reportedly no problems related to the sale of "Ma'ariv" news portal nrg to "Israel Today".
The question now is just how strict the restrictions on "Israel Today" will be, and whether they might frustrate the sale. If the Antitrust Authority rejects the deal, it will recommend selling "Makor Rishon" to "The Jerusalem Post" publisher Eli Azur, who will also receive Hebrew daily "Ma'ariv".
Although the Antitrust Authority has to approve "Ma'ariv's" sale, there are no disagreements on the matter, and the deal will probably be approved.
"Ma'ariv" and "Makor Rishon" trustee Chen Berdachev and attorney Shalom Goldblatt say that the newspapers could face severe cash flow distress of their sale in not quickly approved.
The Antitrust Authority said in response, "At the first meeting between the parties, the Antitrust Authority's representatives tried to clarify outstanding issues, and nothing at the meeting indicates the Antitrust Authority's position. The merger is in the advanced review stages, and no decision has yet been taken."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on April 23, 2014
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