Ex-Lawmaker Storms Out of Live Interview Over Disagreement

Former Knesset member and retired General Eyal Ben Reuven dramatically walked out of a live interview on i24NEWS on Thursday after a heated exchange with host Sharon Gal. The interview, which began with Ben Reuven discussing the situation in Judea and Samaria and advocating for separation from Palestinians for demographic reasons, quickly escalated.

Ben Reuven stated that "rioters in Judea and Samaria are not a small group" and called the situation "the most severe existential threat to the State of Israel today." He also defended his appearances in foreign media, where he criticizes Israeli policy, saying his goal is to stop "unbearable actions by Jewish elements that I despise."

Gal challenged Ben Reuven's security analyses and his past calls to halt fighting in Gaza. Ben Reuven countered that while the IDF achieved "tremendous achievements," the current government failed diplomatically. The confrontation peaked when Gal accused Ben Reuven of wanting to surrender and calling for withdrawal from Gaza in August 2024, even while advocating to the world.

Ben Reuven, losing his patience, accused Gal of lecturing and declared the interview personal before abruptly ending it and leaving the studio, telling Gal to "continue interviewing yourself."