Yair Mordechai Cherki (; born 5 February 1993) is an Israeli journalist who serves as a reporter and commentator on religious and political affairs programs. He currently hosts a late-night current affairs show on Channel 12. He is also a weekly columnist for Makor Rishon newspaper, and presents a weekly current affairs program on Israeli Army Radio.
Early life Cherki was born and raised in the Jerusalem neighbourhood of Kiryat Moshe to a National Religious family. He is the fourth of seven children of Oury Amos Cherki, a senior lecturer at Machon Meir and rabbi of the Kiryat Moshe community, and Ronit Sharki, a biology researcher.Yair Cherki on the year he shattered the glass screen of television Globes. 24 September 2015 His brother, Shalom Yochai, was killed in a terror attack in 2015.France condemns terrorist attack in Jerusalem that claims life of French citizen – France MoFA statement/Non-UN document United Nations. 15 April 2015Cherki laid to rest: "You saved the girl next to you" Ynet. 16 April 2015 He was educated at Yeshivat Makor Chaim, a high school yeshiva in Gush Etzion. In 2011, after graduating, he enlisted with the Israel Defense Forces for his conscription period. He served with Israeli Army Radio, where he was the religious affairs correspondent.The new face of Israeli Army Radio Kikar. 12 July 2011
Career In 2014, he began working as a religious affairs correspondent for Channel 2 news.Yair Cherki will cover the field of religion on Channel 2 News Makor Rishon. 24 April 2014 In 2016, he was named by Forbes Israel as one of the top 30 "Most promising young people" in the country. In addition to his TV role, he presented a current affairs morning radio show from January to July 2017 on Galey Israel Radio.Yair Cherki in Liebeskind Arutz Sheva. 12 January 2017
In 2017, he began writing a weekly current affairs column for B'Sheva. He left the newspaper in 2020, to begin writing a new weekly political column for Makor Rishon newspaper.Yair Cherki leaves the newspaper B'Sheva - will start writing for the newspaper Makor Rishon Arutz Sheva. 24 December 2020
In 2018, B'nai B'rith World Center awarded him the Journalistic Excellence Award in the Israeli Media for coverage of Diaspora Jewry and Israel-Diaspora Relations, for his series of articles, "Brooklyn of the Holy".Yair Cherki won an award for his coverage of Diaspora Jewry and Israel relations Walla. 30 April 2018
In September 2021, he was named as the "most trusted" political commentator in a survey commissioned by the Israeli news website, Walla.Between the campaigns: The Great Journalist Survey. Who is the most trusted political commentator in Israel? Walla. 6 September 2021 He was named as the "most trusted" journalist in September 2022 in a separate survey conducted by Prof. Yitzhak Katz.אמינות העיתונאים – הממצאים Journalist Credibility Survey – Findings Press Pectiva
In November 2023, following the start of the Gaza war, he began hosting a Late Night program on Channel 12 with journalist Haim Levinson. After a short time, Avri Gilad replaced Levinson, and the name of the program was changed to Avri and Cherki.Keshet 12 in a huge surprise: This is the new program that will be broadcast tonight Ice. 22 November 2023
In July 2024, he returned to Israeli Army Radio, and began hosting a weekly current affairs program every Thursday with Hila Korach. Impact He is credited for building greater understanding of Haredi Jews and their lifestyles. In his reporting, he takes viewers into the homes of the Haredim, gently asking his hosts to explain their beliefs.
Personal life In February 2023, he came out as gay.Yair Cherki is famous for making Israelis understand Haredim. Now, he wants Haredim to understand that he’s gay. The Forward. 15 February 2023 He wrote: "I have always lived with the clash between this sexual preference and faith", adding that, "There are those who solved the conflict by saying there is no God, and there are others who have said there are no gays. In my flesh, I know they both exist, and I try to resolve this internal conflict in multiple ways."
He was supported by political figures in Israel across the spectrum, including former Israeli Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett, Likud's openly-gay Knesset speaker, Amir Ohana, and Merav Michaeli, leader of the Israeli Labor Party.Reporter Yair Cherki wants fellow Haredim to understand that he’s gay The Jerusalem Post. 16 February 2023
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