Journalist Slams Colleague for 'Foot Massage' Interview with Minister

Journalist Haim Levinson has sharply criticized fellow journalist Ayelet Hasson, accusing her of acting as a "slave to Bibiism" and providing "embarrassing" media coverage for the Minister of Transportation, Miri Regev. The controversy stems from an interview Hasson conducted with Regev regarding the failure to prevent foreign flights and a dramatic incident on a Flydubai flight. Levinson, known for his cynical style, argued that Hasson, instead of asking Regev tough, fact-based questions on public broadcast, instead gave the minister what he described as a "foot massage."

Levinson claimed the interview devolved into Regev evading responsibility by blaming security agencies like the Shin Bet and Mossad, while Hasson failed to ask basic questions about the minister's role in the failures. To counter Regev's claims, Levinson cited his ministry's official website, which states the Ministry of Transportation is responsible for "determining, developing, adapting and directing security arrangements for transportation services," including the "security assessment of foreign flights entering or crossing Israel."

Furthermore, Levinson dismantled Regev's statements about international aviation agreements with the UAE and Flydubai, calling them "an absolute lie." He explained that the international agreement is publicly available and is a generic contract with no restrictions based on crew identity or origin. Levinson also pointed to the State Comptroller's 2024 report, which recommended that the National Insurance Institute, the Ministry of Transportation, and security agencies formulate an updated policy on incoming foreign flights.

Levinson concluded by criticizing Israeli journalism, stating that the interview was wasted on "cheap political gossip" instead of demanding answers. He lamented, "Every minister has their court journalist, and because of that, we will never progress or improve."