Yair Golan Slams News Anchor Moria Asraf Over Report

Yair Golan, chairman of the Democratic Party, has escalated his criticism of Channel 13 news anchor Moria Asraf, following a heated on-air exchange regarding Golan's call to defund the Eli pre-military academy. Asraf had sharply criticized Golan during a live broadcast, presenting data on academy graduates serving and dying in combat, and arguing that Golan's focus on the institution harmed soldiers and his own political standing. Golan, in a recent interview, stated that Asraf "only presented what was convenient for her to present." He expressed shock that even non-Channel 14 outlets were giving such coverage to the issue, emphasizing the importance of journalistic integrity and truth across all channels.

The controversy intensified when Golan's party announced a boycott of Asraf's program with Eyal Berkovich, refusing to send guests. Sources on the left, including fellow party member Efrat Reiten, criticized Asraf, claiming the broadcast segment was edited manipulatively to omit that Golan's remarks were directed at the content and statements of some of the academy's rabbis and educators, not the students or fighters themselves.

In parallel, Golan launched a strong attack against Channel 14, vowing to act against it if he is part of the next government. He reiterated his demand that the channel must either reform to meet journalistic standards and ethics or face closure, arguing that Israel should not permit a "propaganda channel" to pollute public discourse. Golan invoked the concept of a "defensive democracy" to justify his stance, asserting that democracy must protect itself from authoritarian tendencies. He distinguished his position from criticism of other right-wing outlets like Channel 7 or Makor Rishon, stating his respect for diverse media but conditioning their existence on avoiding incitement, fake news, and lies.