Ayala Hasson refuses KAN apology demand after remarks on Bedouin women

Israeli public broadcaster KAN condemned anchor Ayala Hasson for remarks about Bedouin women, demanded an on-air apology, and suspended her. Hasson refused, citing free speech. An opinion piece compares her treatment to that of another journalist.

The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation KAN issued a sharp statement on Saturday, November 7, against its anchor Ayala Hasson. The conflict erupted after her remarks about Bedouin women in an interview with Radio Galei Israel. Hasson questioned the affiliation of Bedouin female voters with the change bloc, spoke about women in veils whose husbands have multiple wives, claimed that most of these women suffer domestic violence, and also mentioned the sister of Ismail Haniyeh. KAN management demanded an on-air apology with prior text approval and brought in a lawyer. Hasson apologized on social media X but refused an on-air apology, stating: "No Bolshevik will make me shut up." KAN condemned her remarks as offensive and undermining trust in the elections, expressing support for Deputy Director General Lior Landenberg. According to Ynet, the standoff may end with the journalist leaving the corporation.