Top Israeli Journalists Clash Over Racist Remarks on Air
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Barak Ravid, a Channel 12 commentator, has publicly criticized Channel 13 owner Assaf Rappaport for "normalizing racism" after host Lucy Aharish was subjected to an offensive remark by presenter Eyal Berkovich. Aharish refused to host her show following the incident, where Berkovich told her to "go shout in your village." The controversy has sparked internal criticism at Channel 13 and an attack on Aharish from a Likud candidate. Neither Channel 13 nor Aharish have commented.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Barak Ravid accused Channel 13 owner Assaf Rappaport of normalizing racism.
- Lucy Aharish refused to host her show after Eyal Berkovich made a remark about her village.
- Aharish left the studio in anger, stating she wouldn't be a "pet Arab" decoration.
- Aharish demanded an apology, but Berkovich has not yet apologized directly.
- A Likud candidate attacked Aharish on social media, saying she's not part of Israel.
- Channel 13 and Aharish have not yet responded to the controversy.
A heated dispute has erupted between prominent Israeli media figures following a controversial incident on Channel 13, involving presenter Eyal Berkovich and host Lucy Aharish. Barak Ravid, a foreign news correspondent and commentator for Channel 12 News, publicly condemned Assaf Rappaport, owner of the rival Channel 13 and a successful high-tech entrepreneur, accusing him of "normalizing racism." Ravid's strong statement came after Aharish refused to host her program, "The Day's Conversation," for two consecutive days. This action followed an on-air exchange during election coverage where Berkovich told Aharish, "Go shout like that in your village! You're not in a village here!"
Aharish, who is Arab Israeli, had attempted to respond to a political correspondent's remark about "Zionist mandates" but was denied speaking time. She then left the studio in anger, stating she would not be anyone's "pet Arab" to sit as a "decoration." During a commercial break, Aharish returned to the studio, where a shouting match ensued, culminating in Berkovich's offensive comment. Aharish reportedly broke down in tears and confronted Rappaport, who was present in the studio.
Sources within Channel 13 indicate Aharish demanded a formal apology and disciplinary action, but Berkovich has not yet apologized directly to her. Aharish allegedly told management that if she had made a similar remark about a synagogue, she would not have appeared on screen again. The lack of a strong response from Channel 13's leadership has drawn criticism from within the organization, with some questioning the channel's commitment to liberalism.
Adding to the controversy, Itzik Bonzel, a candidate for the Likud party, posted on social media that Aharish would "never be part of us or part of the people of Israel." Neither Channel 13 nor Aharish have issued a response to the ongoing situation. The article also provides background on Ravid's extensive journalistic career, including his work with Axios and CNN and awards received, as well as Rappaport's significant success in the Israeli high-tech industry, co-founding companies like Adallom and Wiz, which were acquired by Microsoft and Google respectively for substantial sums.
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