ARD correspondent Sophie von der Tann, aged 34, faces sharp attacks from pro-Israel activists following the award of the Hanns-Joachim-Friedrichs Prize. The criticism, sparking a vigil outside Cologne's broadcasting center, is portrayed as rage-filled yet substanceless. Jury member Christoph Reuter defends her courageous reporting on the Middle East conflict.
Sophie von der Tann, the 34-year-old ARD correspondent for Israel and the Palestinian territories, is receiving the Hanns-Joachim-Friedrichs Prize for her reports on the Hamas attack of October 7, Israel's war in Gaza, and internal divisions in Israel. The award will be presented on Thursday alongside colleague Katharina Willinger, who covers Turkey and Iran. Christoph Reuter, a jury member and previous winner three years ago for Ukraine coverage, praises von der Tann's clear and fearless work under challenging conditions.
Nevertheless, she has become the target of a campaign by pro-Israel activists. The 'Jüdische Allgemeine' deems the honor 'not only fundamentally wrong but also absurd.' German-Israeli reserve officer Arye Shalicar labels her 'the face of the new German Jew- and Israel-hatred.' Israel's Ambassador Ron Prosor suggests she change jobs if she prefers activism. Twelve initiatives are calling for a vigil outside Cologne's broadcasting center to block the award.
The attacks stem from a 'Welt' report citing anonymous sources: von der Tann allegedly described the Hamas attack as having a 'pre-history' in a discussion with antisemitism commissioner Ludwig Spaenle. Other participants recall no scandal; Spaenle reportedly thanked her for the open dialogue. Reuter notes the conflict spans decades, without justifying the massacre.
In an ARD commentary on the 60th anniversary of German-Israeli relations, von der Tann criticized Germany's support for Netanyahu's government amid an international arrest warrant and genocide allegations. She urged strengthening international law. Such views are smeared as 'brash,' but Reuter views them as measured analysis, not hatred. The campaign threatens press freedom, he argues, calling for more on-the-ground reporting.