'Mr. Television' retires
After 40 years as the anchorman of Israel Television's nightly news show, Haim Yavin, 75, is leaving his seat. He plans to focus on making documentaries. 'This is not a goodbye but an au revoir,' he says
"I welcome the change," Yavin said to Ynet, "it is good for Mabat (the main news show) and it's good for me. Every person needs to know when it is his time to go and I feel the time has come for me."
Throughout his career, Yavin left his anchor seats for other positions including serving as the manager of Israel's public TV, and its envoy to the US. He also created several documentary series, including the controversial "Land of the Settlers" which was shown on Israel's Channel 2 in 2005. The documentary's conclusion was that the settlements are a danger to Israel, and that Israel must withdraw from all the occupied territories.
Yavin is famous for coining the phrase "Ladies and Gentlemen, Mahapach (revolution)" during the historical elections of 1977 when the Likkud party came to power.
What was the most memorable event for you?
"Actually it is the first broadcast I produced. It was the IDF parade on Independence Day 1968. I also remember reporting about late Egyptian President Sadat's trip to Jerusalem, the peace agreement with Jordan, and the murder of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. That was a trauma I'll never forget."
What does the future hold for "Mr. Television?"
"I plan on continuing my documentary work. I am doing a five movies series about Jewish-Arab relationships for Channel 2. I also plan to write."
"I guess this is not a goodbye but an au revoir."
