Channel 13 Suspends Broadcaster Eyal Berkovich Over Racist Remarks

By חדשות כיפה

Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba

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Hebrew · 3 newsrooms covering

Channel 13 has suspended broadcaster Eyal Berkovich from all programming due to racist remarks. The suspension followed his questioning of MK Ahmad Tibi's academic title on air, after a prior controversial comment to journalist Lucy Aharish. The channel stated that while freedom of expression is valued, it does not excuse racist statements, leading to Berkovich's immediate removal from broadcasts.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Channel 13 suspended broadcaster Eyal Berkovich immediately due to racist remarks.
Berkovich questioned MK Ahmad Tibi's academic title during a live broadcast.
The suspension followed a previous incident where Berkovich told journalist Lucy Aharish to "calm down."
The channel stated that freedom of expression does not justify racist statements.
Berkovich was suspended after a clarification meeting with channel management.

Channel 13 has suspended broadcaster Eyal Berkovich from all programming effective immediately, following a series of controversial statements that sparked public outrage and accusations of racism. The most recent incident occurred during a live broadcast of his show "Moriah and Berkovich" on Saturday, where Berkovich questioned the academic title of Member of Knesset Ahmad Tibi.

During the broadcast, Channel 13 reporter Suliman Maswadeh was reporting on Abdul Al-Seyed, a Democratic Party member from Michigan known for his strong criticism of Israel. When Maswadeh referred to Al-Seyed as "Doctor," Berkovich interrupted, questioning the validity of the title. Co-host Moriah Asraf clarified that Al-Seyed held an academic degree, but Berkovich persisted, bringing up MK Ahmad Tibi and stating, "They also say Ahmad Tibi is a doctor, so they say, let him bring the certificate."

This incident followed a heated exchange days earlier with journalist Lucy Aharish. After Aharish called Berkovich and Asraf "racists," Berkovich responded, "Calm down, you're not in a village here." Aharish demanded an apology and refused to appear on air again. Berkovich did not apologize, describing his comment as perhaps "not right" but claiming people had "gone too far."

Following the accumulation of these incidents and remarks, Berkovich was summoned for a clarification meeting with the channel's management. The channel stated, "Freedom of expression and diversity of opinions are cornerstones of free journalism, but they do not justify racist statements. The things said yesterday on the program 'Moriah and Berkovich' are unacceptable and do not align with the company's values. Consequently, a clarification meeting was held with Eyal Berkovich, and as a result, his immediate suspension from broadcasting was decided."