Channel 13 Hosts Accused of Racism Over On-Air Remarks
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Channel 13 hosts Moriyah Asaraf and Eyal Berkovich are facing severe backlash after questioning the academic credentials of Dr. Abdul al-Sayed and Knesset Member Ahmad Tibi on air. Their remarks, which included sarcastic comments about Tibi being a doctor and demanding proof, were widely condemned as racist. Critic Dani Algratt and MK Ahmad Tibi himself have strongly denounced the hosts and the program, with Tibi calling it a "racist garbage dump." No official apology has been issued by the channel or the hosts.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Channel 13 hosts Moriyah Asaraf and Eyal Berkovich are accused of racism for questioning Dr. Abdul al-Sayed's and MK Ahmad Tibi's doctorates.
- Berkovich sarcastically demanded proof of Tibi's medical degree during a live broadcast.
- Critic Dani Algratt called the program a "sickening display of racism" and urged Channel 13 to fire the hosts.
- MK Ahmad Tibi labeled the show "The racist garbage dump of Channel 13."
- No official apology or clarification has been released by Channel 13 or the hosts.
A public and professional uproar has erupted following a broadcast by Moriyah Asaraf and Eyal Berkovich on Channel 13. During their program, the hosts interviewed Channel 13 correspondent Suliman Maswadeh about the US Senate election of Dr. Abdul al-Sayed, a public figure known for his anti-Israel stances. The professional discussion quickly devolved into controversial exchanges that caused significant embarrassment.
Berkovich began questioning al-Sayed's academic title, sarcastically asking if he was a verified doctor and comparing it to Ahmad Tibi, stating, "They all call him Doctor. Did you check if he is a doctor? They also call Ahmed Tibi a doctor." When Maswadeh interjected that Tibi is indeed a physician by training, Berkovich retorted, "Then let him bring the certificate." Asaraf was seen laughing during this exchange, while Maswadeh appeared stunned and reiterated, "But Tibi is also a doctor. Okay, you've taken this discussion to a completely different place. Tibi is also a doctor." Berkovich continued his dismissive tone, adding, "Moriyah is also a doctor."
The incident sparked widespread anger on social media, with immediate backlash against the hosts and the channel's management. Dani Algratt published a scathing post, accusing the channel, its managers, and the hosts of blatant racism. Algratt tweeted, "A sickening display of racism from Asaraf & Berkovich. Moriyah Asaraf and Eyal Berkovich do not believe a Muslim/Arab can be a doctor. To legitimize their race superiority ideology, they imply that Knesset Member Ahmad Tibi is not really a doctor either."
Algratt further elaborated, stating that Tibi is not only a real doctor but also graduated first in his medical class and surpasses both hosts intellectually. He reminded readers that Berkovich wrote a book about himself and was described as the only person to have written more books than he has read. Algratt also criticized their treatment of Maswadeh, calling their remarks "garbage" and expressing hope that Tibi would sue Asaraf and Berkovich for defamation. He concluded by calling the hosts a reflection of Israeli society in the Netanyahu era: racist, narrow-minded, incited, and ignorant, urging Channel 13 management to remove them.
Knesset Member Ahmad Tibi also responded on social media, labeling the program "The racist garbage dump of Channel 13." As of now, neither Channel 13 nor the hosts have issued a formal clarification or apology for the on-air comments.
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