Egyptian anchorwoman Shahira Amin, who became “public enemy No. 1” in Israel for what many felt was an insensitive interview conducted with Gilad Shalit moments before he was transferred to Israel, is attempting to defend her reputation — on Facebook.
“I did not take advantage of Gilad Shalit as the Israeli media is reporting,” she wrote on her Facebook page Oct. 19.
“Had he said he wouldn’t do it, I would not have pressed him,” she wrote. “I have all the compassion for him and wish him the best.”
Officials in Israel harshly criticized the interview, held on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing into Gaza, saying the questioning was inappropriate and insensitive. They stressed that the interview was not undertaken with Israel’s consent, coordination or knowledge.
“We are all shocked that a so-called interview was forced on [Shalit] before he could even talk to his family or set foot on Israeli soil,” said an Israeli official speaking on the condition of anonymity.
A gaunt, pale and uncomfortable looking Shalit appeared to struggle to speak at points during the appearance, and his breathing was noticeably labored as he awkwardly answered questions.
Hamas militants were in the area as the interview was being set up. One of them stood behind Shalit’s chair, wearing a black face mask, a green headband of the Qassam brigades — Hamas’ military wing — and filming with a video camera in his hand.
“You have known what it is like to be in captivity,” Amin said to Shalit. “There are more than 4,000 Palestinians in Israeli jails. Will you help campaign for their release?” she asked in English.
Shalit took a long pause before answering, then said he would be happy if all those prisoners were freed so that they can go back to their families and loved ones.
“What has the experience brought you? Has it made you stronger?” she asked at another point.
One of the questions she asked — why he gave only one interview while held captive — brushed aside the fact Hamas had barred anyone from visiting Shalit.
Although Amin insisted Shalit had not been coerced to give the interview, an Israeli official questioned the ethics of the journalists involved.
Israeli security officials said the interview was a violation of the deal for Shalit’s release. However, an Egyptian security official said the interview and all the details of Shalit’s handover went according to agreements between Israel, Egypt and Hamas. The official said Israel knew about the interview in advance.
With the interview on state television, the Egyptians appeared to be trying to show the success of their mediation efforts at winning freedom for so many Palestinians.
Although Amin insisted that no one dictated the questions, she tried to get Shalit to credit the Egyptians, asking: “It was the Egyptian national security that mediated your release. There were previous failed mediation efforts including one by the Germans. Why do you think that this time the round of mediation was a success?”
Egyptian reporter Salah Gomaa, who attended the interview, said that the room was packed, small and hot. Gomaa said that Amin insisted on asking questions in English and getting answers in English.
“Shalit told her that he has not practiced his English for five years and it is better to speak Hebrew,” Gomaa said.
Raviv Drucker of Israel’s Channel 10 said Amin’s line of questioning would “likely win the title of the stupidest questions of the past 100 years.” Israeli TV anchor Yonit Levy called the interview “borderline torture”
Amin is a respected journalist within Egypt. During the Jan. 25–Feb. 11 Egyptian uprising, she resigned from her job at Egyptian state television Nile TV, saying she did not want to be part of the “state propaganda regime.”
Ynetnews.com and the Associated Press contributed to this report.