Jerusalem: CNN has appointed Tal Shalev, a former ‘Israeli’ soldier, as its new senior journalist in the network’s Jerusalem bureau. The announcement, made on September 3, 2025, said Shalev brings “almost two decades of extensive experience covering every facet of Israeli politics and society.”
According to CNN’s press release, her hiring aims to “help bolster CNN’s overall coverage from the region at an unprecedented and pivotal time.”
The decision sparked sharp criticism online, with many accusing CNN of rewarding a soldier who took part in operations against civilians in Gaza.
Gaza-based journalist Motasem Dalloul shared images of Shalev in Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) uniform, posing beside and atop a military tank.
Shalev previously served as Chief Political Correspondent and Analyst for Walla! News, one of the largest media outlets in Israel. Over her career, she has reported on the Israeli government, the Knesset, and the country’s diplomatic and foreign affairs. She has also interviewed leading Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In one of her earlier reports titled “Following Trump’s lead, Netanyahu shifts strategy on ceasefire even after Hamas accepts,” Shalev described Hamas as a “terror group.”
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“Israel has long claimed that military pressure will force Hamas to the table, but the terror group, while depleted, has defied defeat despite nearly two years of fighting.” she wrote
Her appointment has reignited debates over media objectivity in covering the ongoing war in Gaza, with critics warning of bias in reporting when journalists have direct ties to the Israeli military establishment.