Rina Matzliach Reflects on Fearless Journalism and Personal Journey
Veteran Israeli journalist Rina Matzliach, in a candid interview with Omri Assenheim on Channel 13, reflected on her career, personal life, and the state of Israeli journalism. Matzliach described the emotional toll of ending her professional chapter, admitting to crying extensively but expressing no regret over her decision to leave broadcasting. She spoke openly about her chosen life path, which includes no children or marriage, and acknowledged both the freedom and the loneliness that accompany it.
Matzliach recounted her early career challenges as the sole woman on a panel discussing security and politics, noting she never sought special treatment and often pushed back against criticism and attacks. Her perspective on journalism centers on serving the public and critically examining the government, contrasting this with journalists who she believes use their platform to advance personal ideologies. She cited her long-standing estrangement from fellow journalist Amit Segal, stating they represent different journalistic approaches: she as a public servant, he as an ideologue.
Discussing current Israeli politics, Matzliach expressed strong opinions on various figures. She described a "post-traumatic stress" from her experiences with the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community, accusing their leadership, particularly the Shas party, of betraying constituents and attempting to turn Israel into a religious state. Regarding Itamar Ben-Gvir, she recalled a painful incident at a memorial ceremony where his supporters disrupted the event, causing her family distress and ending their prior relationship. She also mentioned receiving threats and experiencing what she described as an organized public lynching from Netanyahu's circle.
Matzliach was particularly sharp when discussing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, recalling a past interview where she confronted him about unfulfilled promises regarding Hamas. She views the deep factionalism, left versus right, secular versus Haredi, Jewish versus Arab, as Netanyahu's most significant political failing, even more so than the October 7th events. She described his supporters as a "cult" and reiterated a controversial past statement that they would support him even if he wronged their children, a remark for which she was previously suspended but now stands by.
Concluding her reflections, Matzliach touched upon her quiet battle with breast cancer, wearing a wig to continue working. She expressed a sense of fulfillment, believing she has lived a complete life. Her overarching message emphasized the importance of fearless, free journalism that asks difficult questions without seeking popularity or avoiding offense, suggesting that outlets like Channel 14 could learn from this approach. She concluded that a life lived without fear of expressing one's true thoughts is a life well-spent.
