Israeli reporters faking identity at World Cup to avoid rejection

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen Net
26 Nov 2022 00:31
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Eli Ohana, an Israeli journalist who traveled to Qatar to cover the World Cup, had to tell a Qatari law enforcer he was Portuguese to avoid an anti-normalization backlash.

Israeli journalists fake their nationalities at FIFA World Cup

An Israeli source reported on Friday that "the World Cup in Qatar brought along a good deal of conflicts and tense interactions."

The report complained that "when the World Cup is organized for the first time in an Islamic country, this has got to come with issues, especially for Israeli fans, and particularly for Israeli media reporters who are sent to cover the event."

The report further stated that "a significant number of journalists reported the occurrence of unpleasant events since the beginning of the tournament."

The report made mention of a video released by Israeli Broadcaster Kan, in which Israeli correspondent Eli Ohana was met by a Qatari law enforcer who is a strong opposed of normalization.

"If you were from Israel I would stop and drive back"
Eli Ohana in a tense encounter with a Qatari policeman@avico21 https://t.co/2dcrIG1Sn0
— Rick Smol (@RickSmol) November 25, 2022

In the video, Ohana is seen riding a golf cart with a Qatari policeman. The latter asked him where he came from, and Ohana responded that he was from "Israel".

The Qatari replied, "Are you sure you're from Israel? You're kidding me!"

Ohana, who initially admitted to covering the event for Israeli media, said he was "joking" and that he "came from Portugal."

The Qatari policeman replied, "If you were from Israel, I would have stopped, and I would drop you off and go back."

In another instance, Yedioth Ahronoth reporter Raz Shechnik claimed he was Ecuadorian after an Egyptian fan unmasked him being an Israeli from the microphone's badge in front of the Lusail stadium in Qatar.

"Where are you from?" the Egyptian fan asked him. Shechnik answered, "Equador, Equador Tv," showing him his wristband.

"No this is not Equadori language," the fan said. The reporter insisted that it was Equador, only for the fan to insist that Palestine is free. "No, free Palestine," he continued to say, forcing Shechnik to walk away, saying yes Palestine is free.

On November 24, Israeli Channel 12 correspondent, Ohad Hamo, expressed his frustration from the “maltreatment” of the Arab masses he came across in the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Arab people of all nations refused to be interviewed by him, an Israeli, during a live TV broadcast.

Hamo said in objection, "Everyone knows us, perhaps from the widespread Tik Tok videos. They come to us and criticize us being here.”

“I don't know why," he cried out.

Correspondent for Israel Channel 12, Ohad Hamo on World Cup coverage: "Although we’ve signed four normalization agreements with four Arab countries, the majority of the Arab people do not want us to be here." #WorldcupQatar2022 #Palestine pic.twitter.com/z8NyGBZo8o
— Arwa Ibrahim (@arwaib) November 23, 2022

Two days ago, Israeli media reported that Lebanese fans in the World Cup refused to speak to the Channel 12 reporter after realizing that he was Israeli.

Since the start of the World Cup in Qatar, a number of videos went viral on social media showing the Arab masses refusing to give Israeli channels interviews, in support of Palestine and in rejection of normalization.