‘Israeli’ soldier appointed CNN senior reporter in Jerusalem

‘Israeli’ soldier Tal Shalev has been appointed as the new CNN senior journalist in the Jerusalem bureau who reportedly holds “almost two decades of extensive experience covering every facet of Israeli politics and society,” according to a press release published by CNN on Sept. 3, 2025.

The statement added that Shalev was hired to “help bolster CNN’s overall coverage from the region at an unprecedented and pivotal time,” the announcement read.

Her appointment drew widespread backlash from users online who said that the soldier was being awarded after having killed children and women in Gaza.

Gaza-based journalist Motasem Dalloul shared pictures of Shalev in Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) attire, standing atop and next to a military tank. 

Israeli occupation soldier, who killed children and women in Gaza, Tal Shalev is the new CNN’s senior journalist in Jerusalem’s bureau.. pic.twitter.com/g7040yXzKa

— Motasem A Dalloul (@AbujomaaGaza) September 14, 2025

Shalev’s has previously worked as a Chief Political Correspondent and Analysis for ‘Walla! News,’ one of the largest ‘Israeli’ news outlets. 

Throughout her career, she reported on the ‘Israeli’ government, parliament as well as the country’s foreign and diplomatic affairs, interviewing many ‘Israeli’ officials including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

עכשיו זה רשמי pic.twitter.com/fdDl9P8CXU

— Tal Shalev (@talshalev1) September 3, 2025

In one of her stories titled ‘Following Trump’s lead, Netanyahu shifts strategy on ceasefire even after Hamas accepts,’ Shalev described Hamas as a “terror group.”

 “Israel has long claimed that military pressure will force Hamas to the table, but the terror group, while depleted, has defied defeat despite nearly two years of fighting,” she wrote.