Broadcaster Gretchen Ho addressed criticisms over her past professional interactions with the Israeli Embassy.
Gretchen issued the clarification after human rights advocate Caloy Conde raised questions about her Israel trip upon the invitation of its Ministry of Tourism and professional engagements with then-Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss in 2022 and 2023.
Conde’s post came amid criticisms surrounding a recent state-sponsored media visit to Israel involving Filipino journalists.
In a Facebook post, Gretchen confirmed that she traveled to Israel in July 2022 after being invited by Israel’s Ministry of Tourism, more than a year before the war in Gaza began in October 2023.
At that time, Gretchen said she was developing her travel documentary program ‘Woman In Action’ and considered producing an episode about the Holy Land.
‘While the itinerary and venues were arranged by our hosts, there were no restrictions on whom we could speak to, what questions we could ask, or what we could observe and say about the experience,’ she said.
According to Getchen, she was not asked to produce a particular narrative or portray Israel in a prescribed way. However, she acknowledged that she remained conscious that the trip was sponsored by the Israeli government.
‘I went there with an open mind, yet also very much aware that since this was a trip sponsored by their government, what we were NOT shown was as important as what we were shown,’ she said.
Gretchen said the trip gave her a better understanding of the complexities surrounding the history and realities of Israel and Palestine. She ultimately decided not to pursue an episode for ‘Woman In Action’ because she believed the subject required a more sensitive approach.
She also clarified that part of the arrangement for the trip was for her to attend an Israeli travel expo.
In May 2023, several months before the war began, Ho said she accepted a professional engagement to host an event organized by the Israeli Embassy.
‘I also interacted cordially with then-Ambassador Ilan Fluss, including an encounter at UP (University of the Philippines) that has resurfaced online,’ she said.
Gretchen said her professional interactions with Israeli officials did not prevent her from taking critical positions on issues involving the Israeli government.
After the war erupted in October 2023, she had the opportunity to interview Fluss in 2025 for her news-interview program ‘Morning Matters.’
During the interview, Gretchen said she questioned the ambassador about human rights violations in Gaza, the right of Palestinians to exist, and Israel’s status as a non-signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty compared with Iran.
‘My interactions with the Embassy never determined my editorial positions, nor did they prevent me from questioning an Israeli official critically,’ she said.
At the same time, Gretchen acknowledged the concerns surrounding her past interactions with the embassy, particularly when they are viewed in the context of the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.
‘I take questions about journalistic independence seriously,’ she said.
‘Looking back, I recognize more clearly the importance of maintaining not only editorial independence, but sufficient distance to avoid reasonable perceptions of conflict. There are choices I would approach with greater circumspection today.’
Gretchen also clarified her position on the conflict, saying she does not support genocide or the dehumanization of any people.
‘To be clear: I do not support genocide or the dehumanization of any people. I believe in the dignity and right to life of Palestinians and Israelis alike,’ she said.
She added that journalists must sometimes interact with individuals, institutions and perspectives that they may later need to scrutinize, while also examining their own professional boundaries and judgment.
‘Journalism requires us to encounter people, institutions and perspectives we may eventually have to scrutinize. It also requires us to continually examine our own boundaries and judgment,’ she said.
Gretchen ended her statement by saying she is listening to the concerns raised and will use the experience to reassess the standards she applies to her work moving forward.