Yotam Zimri Defends Ayla Hasson, Cites 'Truth the Left Fears'
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Yotam Zimri defended broadcaster Ayla Hasson, stating she spoke "the truth that the left fears most" regarding polygamy among the Bedouin population. Hasson is facing pressure from the Public Broadcasting Corporation's management for her remarks, despite accepting an apology. Commentator Amit Segal also criticized the corporation's handling of the situation. The controversy highlights statistics on polygamy in the Negev, with Hasson's comments drawing protests from civil society groups.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Yotam Zimri defended Ayla Hasson, claiming she spoke "the truth that the left fears most."
- Hasson is under pressure from the Public Broadcasting Corporation's management for remarks on polygamy.
- Amit Segal criticized the corporation's management for demanding a further apology from Hasson.
- A State Comptroller report detailed 7,159 polygamous men and 16,256 women in Negev polygamous families.
- Hasson's comments on Bedouin women and the "change bloc" sparked protests from civil society groups.
Yotam Zimri, a panelist on Channel 14's 'The Patriots,' has defended anchorwoman Ayla Hasson of the Public Broadcasting Corporation amid ongoing controversy, stating she should not have apologized for her remarks. Speaking on the "Tzamad Ra'im" podcast, Zimri criticized the silence of most journalists on the issue, except for a few, and offered his own explanation for Channel 12 commentator Amit Segal's unusual support for Hasson. Zimri suggested Segal's defense stems from his perceived strength relative to Channel 12.
Zimri expressed anger not at the Public Broadcasting Corporation's actions, but at Hasson's apology itself. He asserted that after re-listening to her original statement, he became convinced she had spoken "the truth that the left fears most." He noted that Hasson had cited the State Comptroller's report regarding polygamy in the Negev, detailing the situation within the Bedouin population. The report indicated 7,159 polygamous men and 16,256 women in polygamous families in the Negev, with a nearly 16% increase in these numbers since the previous audit.
The controversy began after Hasson's interview on Radio Galey Israel, where she discussed Bedouin women in the Negev, allegations of polygamy and domestic violence, and criticized the inclusion of the Arab public within the "change bloc." Her comments sparked protests from civil society organizations and Bedouin women's representatives. Hasson apologized to those offended, and the ethics committee of Kan accepted it. However, the news division management demanded a further, pre-written apology and clarification from her.
Segal had previously attacked the corporation's management, sarcastically congratulating them for finding their first flaw after a decade of perceived perfection, balance, and respectful discourse. He added, "Whoever flatters a small cult is invited to seek their funding from the small cult, not the public."
As of Thursday, Hasson announced she would not be broadcasting that evening, thanking the public for overwhelming support. Alongside support from Segal and Moriyah Asraf, Kan 11 legal correspondent Shali Tefero also publicly backed Hasson. Her employment status at the corporation has not yet been officially terminated.
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