Eyal Berkovich Accuses Political Commentator Amit Segal of Being Netanyahu's 'Secret Advisor'
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Former footballer and media personality Eyal Berkovich accused Channel 12 political commentator Amit Segal of acting as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "secret advisor" based on leaked messages. The messages suggest Segal assisted Netanyahu's office with drafting speeches and messages, allegedly in coordination with Netanyahu's advisor Yonatan Urich. This has ignited a debate on journalistic ethics, with Berkovich's comments adding to internal criticism at Channel 12, including a strong rebuke from reporter Ilan Lokach to Segal's father.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Eyal Berkovich accused political commentator Amit Segal of being Prime Minister Netanyahu's "secret advisor".
- Leaked messages suggest Segal aided Netanyahu's office in drafting speeches and messages.
- Berkovich stated Segal's actions constitute consultancy, not journalism.
- The controversy involves Netanyahu's advisor Yonatan Urich and alleged coordination with Qatar.
- Reporter Ilan Lokach called Segal's actions a "breach of viewers' trust" and a "suicide attack" on Channel 12.
Former footballer and prominent Israeli media personality Eyal Berkovich has sharply criticized senior political commentator Amit Segal, accusing him of acting as a "secret advisor" to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Berkovich made the remarks on Wednesday during his show "Moriyah and Berkovich" on Channel 13, responding to a media storm surrounding Segal.
The controversy stems from leaked private messages belonging to Yonatan Urich, Netanyahu's close advisor. The messages, allegedly sent after Urich connected his phone to a server in the UAE, suggest Segal was involved in assisting, advising, or drafting messages and speeches for the Prime Minister's office. Berkovich, known for his direct and unfiltered style, stated that such involvement goes beyond typical journalist-politician interactions and crosses into consultancy.
Berkovich addressed his co-host, Moriyah Asraf, saying, "You always laugh at me for not being a journalist. This is not a journalist. This is an advisor! This is Benjamin Netanyahu's secret advisor who collaborated with Urich, who collaborated with Qatar. Is this a journalist?" He added that Segal's exclusive access to scoops explains why he is considered "the number 1 journalist of the right," suggesting that everything Segal reports should be labeled "Prime Minister's advisor."
The criticism of Segal has also surfaced within his own employer, Channel 12's news division. Segal's father, veteran journalist Hagai Segal, sarcastically tweeted about the recent media scrutiny, but his comment drew a harsh response from Channel 12 reporter Ilan Lokach. Lokach stated that a political commentator rewriting a politician's campaign speeches is not a "gentle tango" but a "breach of viewers' trust," and that Segal's actions were a "suicide attack" on Channel 12, harming innocent colleagues.
Berkovich's monologue adds to the growing chorus of criticism following the leak, intensifying a heated debate about journalistic ethics in Israel.
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