Ophira Assayag Mocks Ayelet Hasoun's Departure: "Good Luck at the Next Channel"

Ayelet Hasoun announced Tuesday she is leaving her position at the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation following a controversy over her remarks. "Culture of Departures," Assayag, a host at Keshet 12, wrote on her WhatsApp channel, adding a sarcastic "Okay, good luck at the next channel." Hasoun announced her resignation on X, stating she was ending her professional journey at the corporation. She accused the management of attempting to silence public voices and infringing on her journalistic independence by demanding an on-air apology. "I am parting with the corporation, but not with my journalistic mission, not with the viewers, and not with my commitment to ask the difficult questions and give voice to those others prefer not to hear," Hasoun wrote, thanking supporters.

The controversy began after Hasoun made remarks on Radio Galey Israel about women in Bedouin society. After apologizing on social media, the news division management demanded a further on-air apology. Hasoun refused, claiming she was given an ultimatum to read a dictated script. The corporation denied this, stating no apology script was dictated. Hasoun also addressed her future, revealing she has received offers from various media outlets but has not yet decided where she will go next, expressing confidence she will return to television soon.