Journalists Clash Over Remarks About Israeli Ambassador's Family

A heated online exchange erupted concerning the family of Israel's Ambassador to the United States, Yehiel Leiter, whose son Neria is hospitalized in critical condition.

Journalist Nadav Eyal praised the Leiter family, stating they represent the public that serves and sacrifices for Israel. In response, Anat Kamm, a reporter for the newspaper Haaretz, controversially described the ambassador's family as representing "the most fascist public in the country," adding that during Benjamin Netanyahu's first term as prime minister, he "wouldn't have spat in their direction."

Journalist Avishai Greinzeig strongly condemned Kamm's remarks, calling them beyond political disagreement and indicative of a "black and toxic soul." He argued that Kamm's statement lacked basic humanity and compassion, was intentionally hurtful, and that individuals like Yair Oppenheimer would not have spoken that way, not due to differing political views, but because they are fundamentally human.

Greinzeig further criticized Haaretz for giving Kamm a platform, suggesting her comments were not based on opinion but were "sewage." He also posited that Kamm and her employers at Haaretz are detrimental to the goals of the progressive camp they claim to represent. He referenced Akiva Novick's recent characterization of such individuals as saying, "Vote for us, you death eaters."

Ambassador Leiter himself commented on the situation, stating that Kamm's tweet was factually ignorant and demonstrated a lack of basic research, suggesting her hatred led to "much evil with much stupidity." He questioned why such a statement warranted attention, but concluded it was because Haaretz considered her voice important.