Israeli Anchor Ayala Hasson Criticizes Media Response to Netanyahu Bribery Charge Dismissal

Israeli news anchor Ayala Hasson sharply criticized the media's reaction to the judges' recommendation to dismiss the bribery charge against former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Case 4000. Speaking on Galei Yisrael radio on Tuesday, Hasson condemned the media for what she described as hypocrisy and biased coverage, accusing journalists of unfairly attacking anyone who refrains from criticizing Netanyahu. She highlighted that three judges, described as impartial, declared there was no bribery offense, yet the media failed to acknowledge any prosecutorial shortcomings or errors by key figures such as Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit or lead prosecutors Shai Nitzan, Liat Ben Ari, and Yehudit Tirosh.

Hasson expressed frustration over the media's silence on prosecutorial failures and accused the press of contributing to a divisive atmosphere in Israel by supporting a narrative of a fabricated offense. She praised the Open Studio program hosted by Kinneret Berashi for its coverage and called for a serious examination of who led Israel into wasting billions and a civil conflict over what she termed a non-existent crime. Hasson concluded by lamenting the media's harsh treatment of critics who dared to question the prevailing narrative, calling it a disgrace to journalism.