Title: Left-wing Activist’s Program Cancelled Hours Before Broadcast on IDF Radio Station
Subtitle: Decision made due to activist’s statements against IDF soldiers
Date: August 11, 2023
The IDF radio station has faced controversy after canceling the broadcast of a program by left-wing activist Alon Lee Green just hours before it was scheduled to go on air. The program, titled “Six on Friday,” was called off following pressure from prominent right-wing figures, including Knesset member Tali Gottlieb, media personality Yanon Magal, and right-wing activist Hezal.
Critics argued that Green’s previous statements against IDF soldiers made him an unsuitable candidate for hosting a show on the government-owned radio station. Tweets from Yanon Magal and Tali Gottlieb expressed their disdain for giving a platform to what they referred to as a “far-left activist” and a “terrorist supporter.” Green himself took to Twitter to voice his frustration, accusing the incident of being a “political takeover of the media” and vowing to not remain silent.
According to officials at the station, the cancellation was based on the ethical code of Gali IDF and the regulations under which the station operates. They argued that it is unacceptable for someone who justifies harming soldiers to have a program on their platform. The decision to remove Green’s program was supported by all parties involved.
The right-wing organization “Bezelmo” also commented on the matter, claiming credit for bringing attention to Green’s program and pressuring the station to cancel it. They accused Green of being an “extreme radical activist” who justifies the actions of terrorists and refuseniks.
In response to the criticism, the GLC defended its decision to cancel the program, emphasizing that the program “Six on Friday” hosts different presenters every week to discuss social, cultural, and spiritual issues. They stated that while they give space to the entire political and social spectrum, they cannot allow individuals who justify harming IDF soldiers to be presenters on their station.
The controversy surrounding the cancellation of Green’s program came just days after journalist Sefi Ovadia wrote a scathing letter to the station’s acting commander, Danny Zakan. Ovadia accused Zakan of trying to discourage criticism of political commentator Yaakov Bardogo and claimed that he was harassed after expressing his opinions on air.
It remains to be seen whether this incident will lead to further debates about free speech, media control, and the responsibilities of a government-owned radio station like Gali IDF.