Labor party chairman Ehud Barak made a deal with a Channel 2 television journalist in 2001 to "promise a headline or two" in return for being asked easy questions, the Hebrew daily Ma'ariv reported Wednesday. The interview was staged several weeks before the 2001 general elections, in which Ariel Sharon trounced Barak in his re-election bid as Prime Minister.
Barak, who now is Defense Minister, has announced he wants to hire journalist Shalom Kital as an advisor. Kital conducted the interview in a program presented by fellow journalist Dan Shilon. Asked about the incident, Shilon told Ma'ariv, "I have already responded to this fake in the past. I have no reason to reply beyond that."
Shilon told Ma'ariv, 'I have already responded to this fake in the past.'
The newspaper stated that Shilon asked difficult questions during the taped interview and that then-Prime Minister Barak angrily walked out in the middle. Kital then called him back and agreed to start the interview all over again, without the bothersome questions.
Kital, in his new position as advisor, will handle communications between Defense Minister Barak and Gaza Belt communities, and issues that include drafting and exempting yeshiva students
Kital commented, "I am putting my experience to work on behalf of activity that will help a worthy man, in an action I view as a calling." He did not mention the alleged interview deal between him and Barak.