Alya Hasson Interview Criticized as Too Soft Despite Conflict Disclosure

A Hebrew-language commentary argues that Omri Assenaheim’s interview with Alya Hasson on Reshet 13 should have been shelved after its first three minutes. The writer says Assenaheim began by praising Hasson and disclosed that her partner, Shay Nesher, is a former agent and a close friend of his, but then failed to act on that conflict of interest in the interview itself.

According to the piece, the problem was not Assenaheim’s decision to host Hasson, but the way he handled the conversation. The writer says he only half-confronted her critics, letting Hasson easily dismiss accusations against her as weak or malicious rather than pressing harder. The columnist adds that a proper disclosure would have meant explicitly promising not to let the personal connection soften the questioning, and then actually keeping that promise.

The article says Hasson had some powerful moments, including speaking openly about a sexual assault she suffered as a child and the long-term effects of that trauma. It also notes her account of how her relationship with the State Attorney’s Office deteriorated after she had once admired its leading figures. The writer says Hasson has real professional achievements and that there is nothing wrong with interviewing her, or even with being friendly with her.

But the main criticism is that the program was held over a meal, which the author says added nothing to the journalism. The piece also says Hasson’s own shows on Kan 11 often sound supportive of the government, especially in interviews with Transport Minister Miri Regev, whom the writer says was not asked hard questions despite road safety failures and a record toll of road deaths. The column concludes that Assenaheim wasted about an hour of the weekend on a flattering, ingratiating interview.