Popular Secular Israeli TV News anchor joins Bennett's Bayit Yehudi party
For video:
http://youtu.be/VcSAQq4KN_8
Yinon Magal, a popular news anchor who had in past hosted State-run Channel
1's main news magazine, announced he will join right-wing Bayit Yehudi party
ahead of the elections.
Moran Azulay YNET Published: 12.28.14, 10:17 / Israel News
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4608469,00.html
The journalist and news anchor Yinon Magal announced Sunday he is leaving
his position as news editor for the Israeli news site Walla! and will join
the rightwing Bayit Yehudi party. Magal, 45, is not expected to contend in
the party's primaries and will likely enjoy a reserved spot on the party
ticket.

The news was first reported on Israel's Channel 10 News and confirmed Sunday
morning after Magal posted a campaign video together with party chairman
Naftali Bennett.

"I am not ashamed to love the land of Israel, the people of Israel or
Israel's Torah – the Bayit Yehudi (Jewish Home) is my home," he said in the
video.

During the summer's Operation Protective Edge, while leading Walla!'s news
desk, Magal raised some eyebrows for leading what some described as an
overly nationalistic line and his aggressive interview style, especially
against those with whom he disagreed. For others, he was a breath of fresh
air in Israel's generally left-leaning media.

"The Bayit Yehudi is the natural place for all those who feel the state's
Jewish identity burring within them," party chairman Bennett said in the
video with Magal, welcoming him to the predominantly religious party.

"Yinon will give the Bayit Yehudi party strength and will represent a
growing sector of the party's voters whom identify with the values of the
religious-Zionist movement," Bennett said, in a clear attempt to both woo
secular voters and
appease the religious flank of his party.

Magal is leaving his position as editor of Walla! news and its main anchor.
In the past he served as Channel 10's military correspondent and the anchor
for Channel 1's news magazine Mabat.