By Hammad Kahlun
Scandinavian news Finland
An interview between Israeli lawmaker Boaz Bismuth and Norwegian journalist Yama Wolasmal turned confrontational after Wolasmal pressed the Israeli politician on his country’s conduct in Gaza.
Bismuth, a Knesset member and former editor-in-chief of Israel Hayom, called Wolasmal “insulting” and “a disgrace” for raising the question, and said Wolasmal was not “allowed” to accuse Israel of genocide.
The exchange took place on NRK’s current-affairs program. The episode, part of the series “Yama utfordrer,” aired on NRK1 on 15 May 2025 and described Bismuth as one of the strongest defenders of Israel’s right-wing government amid accusations of genocide.
Who Are the People Involved
Bismuth, born in 1964 in Rehovot, has represented the Likud party in the Knesset since 2022 and chairs its Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
He served as Israel’s ambassador to Mauritania from 2004 to 2008 and led Israel Hayom as editor-in-chief between 2017 and 2022.
Wolasmal has anchored NRK’s main news program and has served as the broadcaster’s Middle East correspondent based in Beirut since 2020.
He previously drew international attention for a 2024 interview in which he questioned an Israeli government spokesperson about alleged war crimes and genocide accusations tied to the Gaza conflict.
Key Facts
- Interview subject: Boaz Bismuth, Israeli Knesset member (Likud), former Israel Hayom editor-in-chief
- Interviewer: Yama Wolasmal, NRK foreign correspondent
- Program: “Yama utfordrer,” aired 15 May 2025 on NRK1
- Bismuth called Wolasmal’s question “insulting” and “a disgrace”
- Wider context: CPJ has documented journalist deaths in Gaza; Israel denies deliberately targeting media
FAQs:
Who is Boaz Bismuth?
An Israeli Knesset member from the Likud party, chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, and a former newspaper editor.
Who is Yama Wolasmal?
An NRK journalist and Middle East correspondent who has interviewed several high-profile figures connected to the Gaza conflict.
What did Bismuth say to Wolasmal?
He called Wolasmal’s question about Israel’s conduct “insulting” and “a disgrace,” and said he was not “allowed” to level genocide accusations at Israel.
Has Israel denied targeting journalists?
Yes โ Israeli officials say military operations target militants, not media workers, and are conducted under international law.
Is there independent documentation of journalist deaths in Gaza?
Yes the Committee to Protect Journalists has tracked journalist deaths during the conflict and called for independent investigations.
Why the Israeli Politician Interview Turned Tense
The friction centered on Wolasmal’s questioning of Israel’s military conduct, which Bismuth characterized as an unfair or biased line of attack rather than legitimate scrutiny.
Bismuth’s response rejecting the premise of genocide accusations outright and framing the question itself as improper reflects a broader pattern of tension between Israeli officials and international media over Gaza war coverage.
Independent monitors have separately raised concerns about journalist safety in Gaza during the conflict.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, dozens of Palestinian journalists have died since the war began, and the organization has called for independent investigations into individual cases.
Israel has repeatedly denied deliberately targeting journalists, saying its operations target militant groups and are conducted under international law.
Israeli politician journalist Gaza interview
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