Berkovich Accuses Netanyahu of Racism and Inciting Division
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Former footballer and TV presenter Eyal Berkovich accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being "the greatest racist since the establishment of the State of Israel" and of intentionally inciting division. Berkovich made the remarks on Channel 13 in response to comments by Channel 14 host Yinon Magal, who had called former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot a "monkey." Magal claimed his words were taken out of context, but Berkovich presented evidence of past ethnically charged statements attributed to Netanyahu's circle. Berkovich argued that Netanyahu has built a political career on exploiting ethnic rifts in Israel for decades.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Eyal Berkovich called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "the greatest racist since the establishment of the State of Israel."
- Berkovich accused Netanyahu of building a decades-long political career by inciting ethnic division.
- The comments followed Yinon Magal's controversial remarks about Gadi Eisenkot, whom Magal called a "monkey."
- Magal claimed his words about Eisenkot were taken out of context, but Berkovich rejected this explanation.
- Berkovich presented evidence of past ethnically charged statements linked to Netanyahu's associates and family.
Former footballer and TV presenter Eyal Berkovich has launched a strong attack against Yinon Magal, host of Channel 14's "The Patriots," and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Berkovich's remarks came during the "Moriyah and Berkovich" program on Channel 13, where he responded to a controversy sparked by Magal.
The dispute began when Magal, on Saturday night, criticized the candidacy of former IDF Chief of Staff and "Yashar!" party chairman Gadi Eisenkot for prime minister. Magal referred to Eisenkot as a "monkey" controlled by "elitist Ashkenazim," suggesting his Mizrahi background was being used as a political tool. Magal later claimed his words were taken out of context, explaining "monkey" was slang for a figurehead manipulated by others.
Berkovich, however, was not convinced by Magal's explanation. He stated that Magal had "lost his mind" and presented a slide he prepared, detailing past statements attributed to Netanyahu's associates and family members, including Prime Minister's wife Sara Netanyahu, Natan Eshel, Ziv Agmon, and remarks concerning the late David Levy, which he characterized as ethnically charged.
Berkovich directed significant criticism towards Prime Minister Netanyahu, asserting that Magal is merely a symptom of a larger, deliberate strategy. "He is the person who makes a career out of this. He identified decades ago the rift that can exist between Mizrahim and Ashkenazim," Berkovich said. He concluded by declaring, "Benjamin Netanyahu has made a career out of this rift for decades, and he incites and he divides, and Netanyahu is the greatest racist since the establishment of the State of Israel."
While public discourse has largely focused on Magal's comments and freedom of expression on television, Berkovich shifted the focus to what he described as the political roots fueling ethnic division in Israel for decades.
Mentioned
