Ophira Assig Confronts Haim Levinson on Air After Betrayal Scandal

Television host Ophira Assig is set to interview Haim Levinson on her show "Ophira Ohana Sari" on Keshet 12, marking their first joint appearance since a scandal strained their professional relationship and ended their on-screen partnership.

The controversy erupted in October 2025 when it was revealed that Levinson had received at least 200,000 shekels from a company owned by political advisor Shrolik Einhorn for content work between 2019 and 2024. Levinson had not disclosed this financial connection to Assig, even while they discussed Einhorn and the "Qatargate" affair on their program.

Assig has stated she was deeply hurt by Levinson's lack of transparency, particularly because she did not know about his business dealings with Einhorn while they were covering the Qatargate scandal, which included interviewing Einhorn's mother. Levinson was subsequently fired from the newspaper "Haaretz" after admitting he erred by not disclosing his financial ties to Einhorn when discussing the Qatargate case. He maintained his work for Einhorn was unrelated to Qatar and that he was unaware of Einhorn's activities for the country.

In a preview of the upcoming interview, Assig expressed her feelings directly to Levinson, saying, "Basically? You betrayed me." Levinson responded that he considered the word "betrayal" too harsh, but Assig interrupted him, insisting, "No, no, no, no. Harsh is Ophira, I define what I feel." She further emphasized the depth of her hurt, stating, "I took the hurt with you harder than the breakup with Barakovitch."

Following the scandal's exposure, Levinson announced he would no longer co-host the show with Assig. The interview is expected to address the fallout from the affair and their fractured partnership.