An Arabic-language host at Israel's state broadcaster Kann News has triggered outrage after posting a poem appearing to praise Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, just as Israel finalizes a hostage release agreement.
Mohammed Abu Al-Ez Mahamid, who hosts shows on both Kann's Arabic channel and Radio A-Nas, shared the controversial content with his 58,600 Instagram followers. The post, which quickly gained tens of thousands of views, suggested naming newborn babies in Gaza after the Hamas leader.
"I want a bridge to take me there," Mahamid wrote, describing his desire to visit Gaza. "To witness the 'Allahu Akbar' calls... until the first newborn arrives." The poem then suggests various names for the baby, including "Steadfast," "Fighter," and "Yahya" - Sinwar's first name.
The right-wing Regavim movement has demanded immediate action, calling for Mahamid's dismissal in an urgent appeal to Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi. The group argues that the post demonstrates support for "Israel's bitter enemy" during wartime.
"These statements are particularly egregious coming from someone employed by Israel's public broadcaster," Regavim's statement read. "This is taxpayer-funded media broadcasting to thousands of Arab citizens of Israel."
Avraham Benjamin, Regavim's policy director, compared the situation to terror funding: "The money flowing to the broadcasting corporation is generating explicit incitement to terror, as dangerous as funding flowing to terror tunnels."
The incident has reignited debates about media oversight during wartime and the role of Arabic-language state broadcasting in Israel. KAN, which operates under the Second Authority for Television and Radio, has not yet responded to requests for comment.
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