Channel 10 commentator Yoram Arbel was suspended on Sunday for 48 hours after
dedicating Saturday night’s broadcast of Israel’s Euro 2012 qualifying match
against Latvia to Anat Kamm, who is awaiting her punishment for possession and
distribution of secret information.
Arbel, one of the country’s most
renowned sportscasters, said ahead of Saturday’s kickoff: “there is a girl at
home who made a huge mistake and has since been under house arrest. She loves
soccer and we will try to dedicate some of this broadcast to her.”
A few
minutes later, Arbel apologized for his earlier remark and said that he does not
justify Kamm’s behavior.
However, channel 10 still decided to suspended
Arbel for 48 hours, which will not prevent him from working Tuesday night’s game
between Israel and Georgia at Bloomfield Stadium.
Former soldier Kamm was
convicted in February of possession and distribution of secret information by
the Tel Aviv District Court after pleading guilty to the offenses as part of a
plea bargain.
In exchange for the guilty plea, the state agreed to drop
the charges in which she was accused of endangering national
security.
She was originally charged with espionage with intent to harm
national security, having leaked classified information to
Ha’aretz reporter Uri
Blau in 2008.