Ayelet Hasson Resigns From Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation

Reporter Ayelet Hasson announced her resignation from the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (Kan) on Tuesday, citing a prolonged dispute and harsh accusations exchanged with the network's management. Hasson stated her decision stems from a desire "not to be part of a system that silences entire and large voices in the people of Israel to please a certain camp." She did not disclose her next professional destination.

Hasson attributed her departure to a confrontation with her managers over a demand to issue a broadcast apology. She described the events, particularly an ultimatum to read a dictated apology, as evidence of compromised journalistic independence within the corporation. Hasson characterized this as a symptom of a deeper issue, stating, "I am not the story."

The crisis began after Hasson made controversial remarks in an interview with Galey Israel about Bedouin women in the Negev, suggesting they wear veils, have husbands with multiple wives, and are often victims of abuse. Following public outcry, she apologized online, stating she did not intend to offend any woman. The corporation's ethics committee accepted both the apology and the network's apology, but a dispute over a further on-air apology escalated into a public confrontation.

Hasson claimed that Lior Landenberg, the News Division Director, demanded she read a dictated text as a condition for her appearance. The corporation denied this, stating that drafts were exchanged in writing and that Hasson announced on social media that she would not appear. Kan 11 defended Landenberg's professional decisions, noting that he had received threats and incitement.

Hasson countered by calling the corporation's statement "false" and published screenshots of her correspondence with Landenberg. In one message, Landenberg stated that as editor-in-chief, he required her to read the apology and requested she inform him promptly if she intended not to, so he could arrange an alternative broadcast. Hasson claimed her proposed alternative was rejected, accusing the corporation of "selective enforcement" and of fueling incitement against her.

Earlier on Tuesday, Hasson hosted a panel at a conference in Jerusalem, where she was met with applause. She remarked on the perceived gap between certain media circles and the Israeli public. Eldad Koblentz, former CEO of the corporation, called the crisis a "failed management event" and stated that in his view, the incident was over once Hasson apologized. Hasson's resignation announcement followed shortly after.