Magi Tabibi reveals the price she paid: "They accused me of religious coercion"

Channel 14 news anchor Magi Tabibi spoke at the Conservative Conference about her process of strengthening her faith during a difficult period and the criticism she received after breaking the fast of the 17th of Tammuz live on air. According to her, some viewers accused her of religious coercion and unprofessionalism. Tabibi emphasized her pride in her roots and said that Channel 14 represents her values.

Channel 14 news anchor Magi Tabibi shared in a speech at the Conservative Conference about the process of strengthening her faith that came during the darkest periods of her life. Tabibi, who did not grow up in a religious home, said she found her way to faith during a difficult time and that it has since served as a guiding light in her actions. In her speech, she mentioned the moving moment when she broke the fast of the 17th of Tammuz live on air, which she described as the first time in the history of Israeli television that a traditional blessing was said live in front of hundreds of thousands of viewers. According to her, the negative criticism was not long in coming: some viewers accused her of religious coercion and claimed it was unprofessional. Tabibi replied, "We are Jews living in a Jewish state," and emphasized that she is proud of her roots, which are her source of strength. She concluded by saying that this is the heart of what Channel 14 represents. The article includes a mention of the previous event a year ago, when she first broke the fast on air, and notes that since then it has become a habit and she has also broken the fasts of the Ninth of Av and other fasts on air, which drew supportive reactions.