Veteran Israeli actress Chelli Goldenberg criticised Israel’s occupation and policies towards Palestinians during a television interview, saying she was “no longer proud to be Israeli” before realising that her remarks were being broadcast live.

A video of the exchange on Israeli broadcaster Channel 13 has circulated widely on social media, drawing attention to her criticism of the country’s treatment of Palestinians and her reaction after discovering she was on air.

Goldenberg appeared on the broadcaster’s morning programme on October 26, 2026. The conversation initially focused on her acting career before turning to her views on Israel and the occupation of Palestinian territories.

Asked whether she still felt proud to be Israeli, Goldenberg replied: “I want to be, but I no longer feel proud to be Israeli.”

When the presenter cautioned that such remarks were dangerous to make on television, she responded: “I’m not saying it on air. I’m saying it quietly.”

Believing the cameras were off, the actress continued expressing her disillusionment with the country’s political direction.

“I’m not proud of who we are as a people,” she said, reflecting on the impact of the 1967 Six-Day War and the subsequent occupation.

Born in 1954, Goldenberg said it took her generation around a decade after the war to recognise what she described as the “sin of the occupation”.

Watch the video here

Israeli actress Chelli Goldenberg criticised Israel’s policies towards Palestinians during a Channel 13 interview, saying she was “no longer proud to be Israeli” before realising that the conversation was being broadcast live. pic.twitter.com/SvOz6OsIeu

— The Siasat Daily (@TheSiasatDaily) October 30, 2026

“The occupation brought everything that followed. Everything happening now is a consequence of the occupation,” she said.

She also criticised the growing influence of religion in Israeli society, settlement activity, what she described as Jewish terrorism and arrogance.

Goldenberg further referred to Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, arguing that the developments that followed were not accidental.

Despite her strong criticism, she emphasised her attachment to Israel, describing herself as a patriot.

“I’m a great patriot. I love this country. It’s like watching your own child turn into something that makes you say, ‘This isn’t how I raised you’,” she said.

Goldenberg confronts presenters

The conversation took an unexpected turn when Goldenberg realised that her remarks had been broadcast to viewers.

“Wait, were we on air?” she asked.

After the presenter confirmed that the programme was live, she objected to not being informed that the broadcast had resumed.

“This isn’t right. You didn’t tell us we were back on air,” she said.

Goldenberg then announced that she was leaving, explaining that she had believed the discussion was taking place during a commercial break.

“I don’t know what to do with this now. I’m really in shock. I thought we were on a commercial break,” she said.

She later returned to address viewers and apologised for the intensity of her remarks. Explaining that she was impulsive and passionate when discussing such issues, she said she had not realised the conversation was being broadcast.

“I’m a very impulsive person, with tremendous passion when I speak. I’m all fire and flames. I didn’t know we were on the air,” she said.

Her remarks come amid continued regional tensions, including Israel’s war on Gaza and its confrontation with Iran. Both conflicts have intensified international scrutiny of Israeli military operations and policies towards Palestinians, as well as wider security concerns across the Middle East.

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