Ophira Assayag Recounts Fear Over Early Career Choice

Israeli television host Ophira Assayag, known for her outspoken political views and sharp criticism of the government, shared a pivotal moment from her early career during an interview at the "Everything on the Table" conference hosted by La'Isha magazine. The conference focuses on influential Israeli women who inspire others.

Assayag recounted telling her late mother, Suzi Assayag, that she was going to broadcast on "Shirim Ve'sha'arim" (Songs and Goals), a sports radio program. This decision caused her fear because her family came from a religious background, and she did not have a prominent family name. Her mother initially expressed disbelief, saying, "Ophira, stop with the inventions." Assayag insisted, and her mother eventually acquiesced, saying, "Okay." Assayag stated, "It scared me, but in the end, she loved it. That's the only fear. The rest, I go with the flow. What is there to fear? The sun will rise tomorrow too, remember that."

Assayag, who grew up in Dimona as the fourth of six children in a religious household, began her media career in sports broadcasting for the Israel Broadcasting Authority from 1996 to 2002. She primarily worked on the radio program "Shirim Ve'sha'arim" and covered football and basketball games on television. Later, she moved to Channel 2's sports broadcasts.

She had previously sought permission from the broadcasting authority to work concurrently elsewhere but was denied. Assayag sued the authority in labor court but lost, as it was determined she was a freelancer without employee status. Currently, Assayag is a judge on the TV show "The Masked Singer" on Channel 12 and co-hosts a current affairs program with Barak Sari and Eli Ohana. Last year, she received a citation from the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation for groundbreaking and inspiring women.