Israeli broadcaster draws backlash after interviewing pro-Palestinian streamer at World Cup

During live World Cup coverage on Tuesday, Israeli public broadcaster Kan 11 aired a short interview with American streamer IShowSpeed, also known as Speed, while he was watching the France-Senegal match at halftime. Reporter Uri Levi joked with him on camera and told him that in Israel, “everyone loves you.”

The exchange triggered criticism online because Speed, who has tens of millions of followers, has repeatedly posted anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian statements. In recent years he has regularly shouted “Free Palestine!” during livestreams, argued with Israeli gamers, and publicly supported a Palestinian relief fund with a $50,000 donation. The article also recalled a previous encounter in which he told an Israeli fan, “Free Palestine, man, I ain't gonna lie.”

Even though Speed told Levi during the interview that “football connects us all,” critics said his earlier behavior should not have been ignored. Social media users mocked the segment, with one asking whether “Speed doesn't support air or something,” and another suggesting he kept looking at the microphone because he did not know which outlet was interviewing him.

Comedian Guy Hochman also condemned the interview on social media, writing that “the man hates Israel and is proud of it, so why give that loser a platform on an Israeli channel?” The article framed the incident as especially troubling against the backdrop of the security situation over the past two and a half years.