Businesswoman Yasmin Lukatz Recounts Public Hate Mail Over Podcast Guests
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Israeli businesswoman Yasmin Lukatz revealed she has received significant hate and curses for interviewing politicians, including Yair Golan and Bezalel Smotrich, on her podcast. She called for internal unity within Israel, emphasizing the need for respectful dialogue despite disagreements. Lukatz, who also interviewed Yair Lapid, Hili Tropper, and Avigdor Lieberman, stated she is not currently considering a political career, preferring to contribute to the country through her existing work in business and public service.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Businesswoman Yasmin Lukatz reported receiving hate mail for interviewing politicians on her podcast.
- Lukatz urged Israelis to love each other internally and engage in respectful dialogue.
- Her podcast "In Yasmin's Living Room" features politicians like Yair Golan and Bezalel Smotrich.
- She is not currently planning to enter politics, despite considering public service.
- Lukatz has interviewed Yair Lapid, Hili Tropper, and Avigdor Lieberman.
Israeli businesswoman, economist, lawyer, and venture capitalist Yasmin Lukatz has spoken out about the intense backlash she has received for interviewing politicians on her podcast, "In Yasmin's Living Room." Launched in early 2025, the podcast features open conversations with various public figures. Lukatz, founder and CEO of ICON, which integrates Israeli startups into Silicon Valley, and a former investor on the TV show "The Sharks," stated that interviews with figures like Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats party, and Bezalel Smotrich, chairman of the Religious Zionism party, elicited similar negative responses.
"There's a lot of hate and curses, it's something that hurt me a lot," Lukatz said in an interview with Channel 12, describing comments such as "Why did you bring him? Why did you give him a platform?" She expressed a desire for national unity, urging Israelis to love each other internally, even amidst disagreements, given the external animosity they face. "At least inside, let's love each other. Let's not agree, but in a way that we can talk about things and solve things because we are truly hated enough from the outside," she stated.
Lukatz, whose mother is philanthropist Dr. Miriam Adelson, has also interviewed politicians Yair Lapid, Hili Tropper, and Avigdor Lieberman. When asked about potentially entering politics, a path considered by fellow "The Sharks" investor Oren Dobronsky, Lukatz indicated she is not planning to do so at this time. Dobronsky had previously announced he would not run for the Knesset, citing legal requirements to renounce foreign citizenship and the associated exit taxes, though he expressed willingness to serve as a professional minister for artificial intelligence. The Prime Minister replaced Dobronsky on the Likud list with Elisha Mardan.
Lukatz stated she is currently focused on public service through other means, including work related to military reservists and the northern region of Israel, and has been involved with the Israeli high-tech industry for over a decade. She expressed surprise at Dobronsky's decision and reiterated her commitment to contributing to the country in her current capacity.