Dannyka Manangan

Gretchen Ho clarifies previous engagement with Israeli Embassy; maintains stand on issue

Article (news)

Peter Andrew Acierto

Push Team

<p>Athlete-turned-broadcast journalist Gretchen Ho broke her silence and issued a statement about her past interactions with the Israeli Embassy. In a Facebook post, the Star Magic talent clarified that she’s never pushed any narrative that would portray Israel in a “prescribed way.” </p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2Fgretch.ho%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0minvrHNenvoRZ8SrxJ3emSDpdKZm8vbTG3J9pd8r6osYUbGKTyQjP9KvTNRHnkdzl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="271" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Gretchen’s post comes after Caloy Conde, a human rights advocate, expressed his concern over her engagement with the Israeli Embassy. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2022/8/8/fresh-scoops/look-gretchen-ho-goes-on-a-trip-to-jerusalem-201692"><strong>READ: LOOK: Gretchen Ho goes on a trip to Jerusalem</strong></a></div><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2Fcarloshconde%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02TU7HudiMarmfjaov11CRRmfWbBbPmwxpCMuNVVXvfRMM2KosicGxpWm234fXV7Ral&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="793" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>“I really question their judgment in facilitating/helping/enabling Israel&#x27;s propaganda in the context of what it has been doing in Palestine,” Caloy wrote. </p><p>In response to his post, the broadcast journalist opened up about her previous trip. </p><p>“Yes, I went on a trip to Israel in 2022 upon the invitation of Israel’s Ministry of Tourism. To put some context to this trip, this was in July 2022, more than a year before the current war in Gaza began. I was in the middle of ideating for my travel documentary program, <em>Woman In Action,</em> and just as other networks had done features on the Holy Land in the past, I thought there could be a story there,” she wrote.</p><p>Gretchen added that while their itinerary was arranged by the hosts, they weren’t restricted from asking questions, talking to people, and observing what was happening in the area. </p><p>“We were not asked to produce any particular narrative or portray Israel in any prescribed way. 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 maintained. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/6/10/gretchen-ho-hopes-truth-on-deaths-of-ateneo-s-divine-adili-and-rene-clert-baterbonia-will-come-out-1859"><strong>READ: Gretchen Ho hopes truth on deaths of Ateneo’s Divine Adili and Rene Clert Baterbonia will come out</strong></a></div><p>She also recalled the time last year when she interviewed then-Ambassador Ilan Fluss about the war that erupted in 2023.</p><p>“I took the opportunity to confront him on several issues – the human rights violations in Gaza, the right of Palestinians to exist, and why Israel was not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty while Iran was. My interactions with the Embassy never determined my editorial positions, nor did they prevent me from questioning an Israeli official critically,” she claimed.</p><p>While she wants to clear everything up, she acknowledged why her previous interactions with the Israel Embassy are being scrutinized online. </p><p>“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,” she maintained.</p><p>Gretchen asserted that she doesn’t support genocide or dehumanization of any people. As a journalist, she is open to listening to legitimate concerns that are being raised against her. </p><p>“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. 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.</p><p>“I am listening to the legitimate concerns being raised, and I will carry what I learn from this into the standards I set for my work moving forward,” she ended. </p>

<p>Gretchen Ho opens up about her previous engagement with the Israeli Embassy.</p>