Channel 13 Panel Explodes Over Differential Treatment of Arab and Haredi Sectors

A heated debate erupted on Channel 13's studio on Sunday during a discussion about the Haredi and Arab communities in the Knesset. Panelist Michael Shemesh directly challenged fellow panelist Aviad Glickman, accusing him of showing different attitudes towards the two sectors. Shemesh questioned Glickman's apparent indifference to the Haredi community's voice, asking, "Why is it that when we talk about the Haredi voice, suddenly you don't care? That it disappears? That it's erased?"

Glickman responded by differentiating between the communities based on funding and representation. He argued that the Arab sector does not receive the same level of funding or have its voice heard as much as the Haredi sector, which he claimed receives four times more funding and has been part of recent governments. Glickman stated he would express the same concerns for the Arab community if its situation mirrored the Haredi community's in terms of funding and influence.

Shemesh countered that the Arab sector receives comparable funding to the Haredi sector and is currently more represented in the Knesset. Host Moria Asraf sided with Shemesh, informing Glickman that the Arab sector does receive significant funding. This is not the first time Asraf and Glickman have clashed on air; in August, they argued about journalists' responses to political statements by soldiers. Asraf also previously told Glickman during a broadcast, "Don't play naive."

The discussion also touched upon how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's narrative is presented in the media. Shemesh has a history of contentious exchanges, including a sharp argument with radio host Arel Segall on 103FM in July concerning the government, the High Court, and the Second Authority. During that broadcast, Shemesh rebuked Segall for calling a judge "an alien," reminding him, "We are on the air, we hear you. Respect human beings."