Right-Wing Media Personality Itamar Fleishman Reveals Psychiatric Ward Broadcasts

Itamar Fleishman, a prominent figure in right-wing Israeli media, has shared a remarkable anecdote from his past. Fleishman, known for his regular appearances on Channel 14's "The Patriots," a column in "Israel Hayom," and hosting for "Galei Yisrael" radio, revealed on the "Tzemed Ra'im" podcast that he once broadcast political commentary live from a psychiatric ward.

While hospitalized at the Geha Psychiatric Hospital, Fleishman would retreat to a side room to avoid disturbing other patients. From there, he would call into a radio program hosted by Hanoch Daum on 102FM to offer political analysis. He recalled criticizing then-Minister of Defense, Avigdor Lieberman, during one such broadcast, unaware that a patient and a doctor were present in the room.

Following the broadcast, a nurse questioned Fleishman about his activities, leading to a formal review by the medical staff. Fleishman recounted the incident with a smile, humorously concluding that the most important lesson learned was "not to do name-dropping in a psychiatric ward." His co-host, Yotam Zimri, quipped that it was "a corner for political commentary from the psychiatric corner."

This is not the first time Fleishman has spoken openly about his severe mental health struggles. He previously detailed a period of deep depression following a divorce and job loss, which led to two psychiatric hospitalizations at Geha and Ichilov hospitals. Fleishman had previously shared how he isolated himself for two years before deciding to fight for his life and return to public life, demonstrating the extraordinary challenges he overcame to reach his current position in journalism.