Israeli Anchor Defends Colleague Amid Controversy Over Remarks

Veteran Israeli journalist Geula Even-Saar has publicly commented on the controversy surrounding fellow anchor Ayelet Hasoon, stating that while the situation is "amazing, but not entirely surprising," she is disappointed by the lack of support from colleagues at the Public Broadcasting Corporation (Kan 11).

Even-Saar, wife of Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, expressed her views on social media, criticizing the absence of any "talent" within the corporation who would defend Hasoon, "including those who occupied her studio." She lamented this as a "model" of collegiality, suggesting it reflects cowardice in the decision to remove Hasoon shortly after election results were announced.

Hasoon's remarks, made during an interview on Radio Galey Israel, targeted the "change bloc" in Israeli politics. She questioned the nature of this change, describing it with a controversial analogy involving Bedouin women in the Negev, their marital situations, and alleged domestic abuse. Hasoon further claimed that due to polygamy laws, men divorce women who continue to receive welfare benefits for their children, identifying these women as "Palestinians from Hura, Hebron, and Gaza," and even mentioning Ismail Haniyeh's sister. She questioned if these individuals represented the "change bloc" and accused proponents of disregarding Israel's history and future.

Earlier on Wednesday, Ayelet Hasoon announced she would no longer host her program on Kan 11. In a Facebook post, Hasoon suggested that the "sudden change in approach" might be linked to a "political incitement campaign" against her, questioning if the welfare of marginalized Bedouin women was truly the motive. She also criticized leaks from within the corporation that she claims misrepresent events and contribute to the "wild incitement" against her, accusing some within the public corporation of fanning the flames of public attack instead of acting responsibly and ethically.