Egypt Media Syndicate Bans Ehab Qassem After Israeli Interview

The Media Syndicate has banned writer and television presenter Ehab Qassem from appearing on any Egyptian media outlet and referred him for investigation following his televised interview with Israeli journalist Gideon Levy.

The decision came after an episode aired on Al Qahera Wal Nas sparked widespread controversy. The channel has since removed the interview from its television broadcasts and digital platforms while it reviews how the segment was prepared and presented.

The roughly 34-minute interview focused on the aftermath of the October 7th attacks, Israel's military campaigns in the region and the future of US support for Israel.

In a statement, the Media Syndicate said Qassem had violated the Media Code of Ethics and the Professional Code of Conduct by allowing what it described as "grave errors and inaccuracies" to pass without challenge.

Qassem said he was surprised by the reaction, adding that he would have preferred public debate to focus on the interview's substance rather than attempts to discredit it. He also noted that Levy had previously appeared on other Arab media outlets.

Separately, Al Qahera Wal Nas said the episode would remain unavailable until the channel completes a review of "all aspects related to its preparation and the mechanism of its presentation." The broadcaster added that it remains committed to professional standards, national principles and content that reflects the values and sentiments of Egyptian society.

The Journalists Syndicate first adopted its anti-normalisation policy in 1980 following the 1979 Egypt-Israel treaty and has repeatedly reaffirmed the policy to cover professional, personal and syndicate-level contact with Israeli institutions and individuals.