Ofira Assaig Confronts Haim Levinson Over 'Betrayal' After QatarGate Scandal

Journalist Haim Levinson returned to the studio of "Ofira Ohana Segev" for his first interview with former co-host Ofira Assaig, one year after he abruptly left their joint program, "Ofira and Levinson," on Keshet 12. The departure followed a scandal where Levinson was fired from his position at the newspaper "Haaretz" for failing to disclose financial ties to Yisrael Einhoren, a suspect in the "QatarGate" affair.

Assaig expressed her hurt over Levinson's professional separation, telling him directly, "Honestly, you betrayed me. I took the separation from you harder than the separation from [Eyal] Berkovich." Levinson responded that "betrayal is a harsh word," noting their year-and-a-half professional relationship compared to Assaig's 18 years with Berkovich.

The controversy began when Levinson announced his departure from "Haaretz," but it was later revealed he was fired after it emerged he had received approximately 200,000 shekels from a company owned by Einhoren in 2019. Levinson apologized for what he termed a "mistake" and criticized the newspaper's management. Amidst the public outcry, he chose to leave the television program as well.

Assaig, who was unaware of Levinson's connections to Einhoren at the time, bid him farewell live on air. She hosted the program alone for several months following his exit.