Channel 14 Commentator Defends Lucy Aharish Amidst Broadcast Dispute
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
A broadcast dispute erupted on Israel's Channel 14 between journalist Lucy Aharish and former footballer Eyal Berkovich after Aharish reacted angrily to comments about a "Zionist government." Berkovich's subsequent remark to Aharish led to her leaving the studio. Channel 14's CEO intervened, demanding Berkovich apologize, which the network confirmed he was asked to do. The incident has drawn commentary from various public figures.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Journalist Lucy Aharish and footballer Eyal Berkovich clashed on Channel 14 over comments about a "Zionist government."
- Aharish left the studio after Berkovich told her to "Calm down, you're not in a village here."
- Channel 14 CEO Idan Elrom intervened and demanded Berkovich apologize to Aharish.
- The network confirmed Berkovich was asked to apologize for his words.
- Commentator Noam Amir defended Berkovich, questioning why other journalists hadn't condemned the incident.
- Former minister Roni Bar-On urged Berkovich to issue a public, on-air apology.
A heated exchange between journalist Lucy Aharish and former footballer Eyal Berkovich on Channel 14 has sparked widespread discussion. The incident occurred Wednesday when journalist Moriyah Asraf discussed election poll results from the Likud party headquarters, claiming 90 Zionist mandates and calling for a Zionist unity government. Aharish reacted angrily on air, leading to a confrontation with Berkovich that continued during commercial breaks.
Sources present stated that Aharish called Asraf and Berkovich "racists" for their comments about a Zionist government. Berkovich then told Aharish, "Calm down, you're not in a village here," which further angered her, causing her to leave the studio upset. Channel 14 owner Assaf Rappaport intervened, stating such behavior was unacceptable and offering Aharish the option to leave if she was uncomfortable.
Following former minister Roni Bar-On's call for Berkovich to apologize to Aharish, Channel 14's military commentator Noam Amir defended Berkovich on X. Amir questioned why other journalists, including Suliman Maswadeh and Yosef Israel, had not condemned the incident, suggesting they were protecting their "big star" Berkovich. He also stated there was no way Berkovich said what was alleged and that Channel 13 had not condemned it.
According to ynet, Channel 14 CEO Idan Elrom arrived at the scene to mediate the unusual incident. Elrom informed Aharish that he would demand an apology from Berkovich. The network stated that "there is no place for such talk and the commentator was indeed asked to apologize for his words."
Bar-On also commented on X, calling the broadcast "hard to watch" and "infuriating." He urged Berkovich to issue a public apology on air, stating that a backstage apology was insufficient given the public nature of the offense.
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