Anchor Yonit Levi Reflects on 24 Years of Election Night Broadcasting

Channel 12's main evening news anchor, Yonit Levi, shared a nostalgic look back at her early days in broadcasting, coinciding with the upcoming 26th Knesset elections. In a December 2002 Instagram post, she featured a clip of herself alongside former anchor Gadi Suknik, marking her first time in the main anchor's chair. Levi noted that only six weeks separated her debut in December 2002 from her first election results broadcast in January 2003. Now, nearly 24 years later, she is preparing to host her 11th election results program.

The current broadcast comes after Levi and Channel 12 opened their archives of past election broadcasts last week. A compilation shared on social media included memorable and humorous moments from previous broadcasts, featuring interactions with politicians and media personalities. Levi promised more surprises as election day approaches.

In one clip, Levi addressed Knesset member Dudi Amsalem, stating, "Incumbent anchors are only ousted at the ballot box!" In another, she warned broadcaster Rafi Reshef, who was reporting from the Likud party headquarters with Ilana Dayan, not to try and end the broadcast early. Dayan responded that Reshef had already given up, anticipating a long night. The compilation also included Levi discussing on-air instructions and questioning a panel on coalition formation. She also reminded Reshef of his promise that balloons would fall from the ceiling at the end of the night.

Levi, 49, began her media career as a foreign news editor at Galei Tzahal and joined Hadashot 12 in 1998. At 25, in December 2002, she was appointed anchor of the main evening news. The upcoming election broadcast is scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, starting at 8:00 PM, where Levi will present her 11th election results program.