30.10.2026 23:02
Israeli actress Chelli Goldenberg, without realizing she was live on Channel 13, criticized Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and said, "I am no longer proud to be Israeli." Goldenberg, who was surprised when she realized she was on air, reacted to the hosts.
Israeli actress Chelli Goldenberg, thinking she was on a commercial break during the television program she appeared on, criticized Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and her country's policies. Goldenberg, who said, "I am no longer proud to be Israeli," was greatly shocked when she learned that her speech was being broadcast live. The actress, who reacted to the hosts and wanted to leave the studio, returned to the broadcast after the commercial break and apologized for her words.
SHE THOUGHT IT WAS A COMMERCIAL BREAK, CRITICIZED THE OCCUPATION
Chelli Goldenberg, a 1954-born actress who was a guest on the program broadcast on Israel's Channel 13, made harsh criticisms of her country's policies during her conversation with the hosts.
Describing Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories as a "sin," Goldenberg said, "I would really love to be happy to be Israeli again. I am no longer proud to be Israeli. I was born in 1954, and even after 1967, it took me 10 years to understand the sin of the occupation. It did not happen overnight. The occupation brought everything after it. Everything happening now is a result of the occupation."
"THERE IS JEWISH TERRORISM RIGHT NOW"
Goldenberg, who also touched on religious pressure in Israel, settlers seizing Palestinian territories, and Jewish terrorism in her speech, argued that the current picture in the country is the result of these policies.
The actress, who also discussed freedom and resistance with the hosts, said, "A minority has the right to fight for its freedom." One of the hosts, however, opposed Goldenberg, stating that the killing of civilians cannot be considered within the scope of this right.
"ONE MINUTE, WERE WE ON AIR?"
After the speech, Goldenberg realized she was on a live broadcast and was greatly shocked. Turning to the hosts, she reacted, saying, "Were we on air during that conversation? You didn't say we were back on air. I thought we were on a commercial break."
The actress, saying she did not know what to do, used the words, "This is not good at all. I don't know what to do right now. I am really in shock," and stated that she wanted to leave the studio.
SHE RETURNED TO THE BROADCAST AND APOLOGIZED
Goldenberg, who rejoined the program after the commercial break, apologized to the viewers for her words. The actress, stating that she can be quite emotional and reactive while speaking, reiterated that she did not know she was live on air.
Goldenberg apologized for the tone of her words, saying that she expressed her thoughts with harsher and more intense expressions than she would normally use.
SHE STARTED HER CAREER AS A MODEL
Goldenberg, one of her country's most popular models in the 1970s and 1980s, later transitioned to cinema and television, taking roles in Israel's cult productions such as Ha-Lahaka (1978) and in international projects. She is also a writer and casting director.