Yinon Magal

Yinon Elisha Magal was born and raised in Bat Yam. During his IDF national service, he was a member of the Sayeret Matkal special forces,[1] and was involved in the abduction of Abdel Karim Obeid. After leaving the army, he joined Kol Yisrael. He later moved to Army Radio, where he reported on Israeli settlements.[2] before joining Hadashot 10, where he was a reporter on military affairs.[2] He studied Islam, Middle Eastern studies and Jewish thought at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, gaining a Bachelor's degree. He later worked as an anchor on Channel 1, presenting the Mabat LaHadashot news show.[3] In 2012, he joined the Walla! news website, where he became editor.[1]

In December 2014, he announced he was leaving Walla! to enter politics.[1] He joined the Jewish Home party, and was placed sixth on its list for the 2015 elections.[4] He was elected to the Knesset as the party won eight seats.[5] However, in November 2015, Magal announced his resignation from the Knesset following sexual harassment allegations.[6] In January 2016 the police investigation into him was closed.[7]

In 2020 Magal appeared on The Singer in the Mask as "Cactus". He was the second contestant eliminated.

In 2005 he married Gitit, an interior designer.[8] They are the parents of four sons and lived in Tel Aviv. In March 2022 the couple separated.[9]

• Yinon Magal on the Knesset website