Journalist Ayala Hasson Apologizes Over Controversial Negev Remarks
Journalist Ayala Hasson apologized after facing severe backlash over controversial remarks regarding Bedouin women in the Negev. Civil rights groups criticized the comments, while Kan's ethics committee announced a formal review.
Veteran Israeli journalist and Kan 11 anchor Ayala Hasson has issued an apology following widespread public backlash over controversial remarks she made regarding Bedouin women in the Negev during a radio interview.
The controversy erupted after an appearance on Galei Yisrael radio, where Hasson discussed political election results and potential coalitions involving Arab parties. During the broadcast, she touched upon the issues of polygamy and domestic violence within the Bedouin community, making sweeping generalizations about women's family lives and describing them as mostly battered women.
The remarks drew swift condemnation from civil rights groups, women's organizations, and local leadership. Organizations including Sikkuy-Afulok, the I'lam Center, the Forum of Bedouin Local Authority Heads in Negev, and the Al-Nashmiat Bedouin women's movement lodged formal complaints with the Kan public broadcaster's CEO, Golan Yochpaz, demanding an inquiry and a public apology.
Following the public outcry, Hasson posted a statement on social media expressing regret. She stated that she never intended to cause any offense and offered a heartfelt apology to anyone hurt by her words. However, the wording of the apology drew further criticism from commentators who argued it fell short of a full retraction.
Against the backdrop of the public debate, official data highlights the ongoing scale of polygamy in the region. According to a State Comptroller report published in April 2026, 16,256 women were recorded living in polygamous family structures, marking a 16% increase compared to previous audits. Furthermore, Central Bureau of Statistics data presented to the Knesset indicated that approximately 15% of Muslim men with children in the southern district were suspected of polygamous marriages.
Meanwhile, the Kan broadcaster announced that its internal ethics committee, headed by Dr. Uri Paz, will convene to review the incident and examine the ethical dimensions of the broadcast. The findings are expected to be published upon the conclusion of the review.
