Former Sky News Australia anchor Erin Molan on Monday met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem.
Molan, who is visiting Israel as part of a delegation organized by the Australia Israel & Jewish Affairs Council, has defended Israel outspokenly on air, including by saying several times that “Israel is held to a standard that doesn’t exist.”
Following her recent departure from Sky News Australia, some cited her pro-Israel views as the reason, but advocates of the network deny this, noting that it is staunchly pro-Israel in its editorial approach and has several other outspokenly pro-Israel presenters who have not been fired.
Asked last week by news.com.au as to the reason for her departure, she replied: “Budget.” She added: “I was never asked by anyone to tone down anything – and nor would I.”
With regard to rising anti-Israel and antisemitic sentiment in Australia, Molan told Herzog: “I can assure you the vast majority of Australians stand with you. The loud minority gets a very big run. Clearly, we all believe, and we stand with you.”
On Sunday, Molan met Yossi Schneider, cousin of hostage Shiri Bibas, and Ashley Waxman Bakshi, cousin of hostage Agam Berger, along with the founder of the “I’m That Jew” movement and the CEO of the Peres Center, Efrat Duvdevani.
Herzog on Monday praised Molan’s “moral clarity” with regard to Israel’s war against the Hamas terrorist group.
“We are under this huge attack—endless attack—by people who don’t understand, who don’t get the picture,” Herzog told Molan. She thanked him and, referencing Israelis, said: “You see so much horror and terror and heartbreak, but then you also feel the most incredible sense of hope.”
