Israeli Public Broadcaster Slams Journalist Ayelet Hasson Amid Broadcast Dispute

The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC) issued a sharp statement against journalist Ayelet Hasson, rejecting her claims against the corporation's management and News Division Director Lior Landenberg. The IPBC accused Hasson of making serious, baseless accusations and stated that she had made inflammatory remarks. Hasson, however, countered the corporation's statement by publishing a WhatsApp exchange with Landenberg, which she claims proves that she was required to read a pre-written apology as a condition for appearing on air, contrary to the IPBC's announcement.

The IPBC's statement alleged that Hasson had recently leveled unfounded accusations against the corporation and its managers, including claims that management instigated an attack against her and used offensive nicknames. The corporation emphasized the severity of these claims, especially in light of threats and incitement directed at Landenberg over the weekend. A central point of contention, according to the IPBC, was the wording of an apology. The corporation denied that anyone dictated Hasson's response, stating that drafts were exchanged until the presenter announced on social media that she would not appear for the broadcast.

Hasson presented a completely different version of events, calling the IPBC's statement false and providing her correspondence as proof. She asserted that Landenberg dictated an apology that distorted her words and attributed unintended meanings to them, demanding she read it on air as a condition for her return to broadcasting, despite her having already apologized multiple times. Hasson shared a written message from Landenberg stating, "If you do not intend to read this apology, I ask that you inform me as soon as possible so I can prepare a broadcast alternative."

Hasson argued that this exchange proves she was not given the opportunity to formulate her own apology or clarify her remarks in her own words, but was instead presented with a specific text she had to read to return to the air. "How dare the corporation claim there was no demand to read a dictated text, when the news director himself stipulated in writing my appearance on the reading of 'this apology'? Does the corporation think the public cannot read?" Hasson attacked.

This confrontation follows a controversy sparked by Hasson's remarks concerning Bedouin women and allegations of irregularities in Arab community polling stations. The IPBC stated that presenting suspicions of irregularities as if they occurred in all Arab polling stations, along with what they described as generalizing and offensive statements towards Bedouin women, exceeded the bounds of legitimate journalistic discourse and could undermine public trust in the democratic process. The corporation affirmed its commitment to press freedom and journalistic independence but stated it would not tolerate offensive statements or unfounded accusations regarding the integrity of elections. The statement concluded with full and unequivocal support for Landenberg and his professional positions.