Sky News has parted ways with anchor Belle Donati following a controversial on-air exchange where she compared Israel's actions in Gaza to the Holocaust.
Ms. Donati, a freelance presenter for the British network since 2021, made the remarks during a January interview with Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations. The conversation grew tense when Ms. Donati characterized Mr. Danon's proposal for "voluntary emigration" of Palestinians from Gaza as "ethnic cleansing."
When Mr. Danon objected, Ms. Donati responded, "The sort of voluntary relocation of many Jewish people during the Holocaust, I imagine." Mr. Danon immediately accused Ms. Donati of antisemitism, demanding an apology.
Sky News swiftly distanced itself from the comments. In an on-air statement, the network called the comparison "completely inappropriate" and apologized to Mr. Danon.
Sources familiar with the matter confirmed that Sky News declined to renew Ms. Donati's contract following the incident. She has not appeared on air since the interview.
Ms. Donati's social media accounts have been dormant since January, and attempts to reach her for comment were unsuccessful. Sky News also declined to comment further on the personnel decision.
Prior to joining Sky News, Ms. Donati had worked for Euronews and the BBC.
Ynet and Deadline contributed to this article.
2 Comments