Israeli Lawmaker Defends Suspended Host, Questions Arab MK's Doctorate
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Israeli lawmaker Tali Gottlieb has defended suspended Channel 13 host Eyal Berkovich, questioning the doctorate of MK Ahmad Tibi and criticizing the network's management for hypocrisy. Berkovich was suspended after questioning Tibi's and another individual's medical titles. Gottlieb compared his situation to that of journalist Ayla Hasson, who faces suspension from Kan 11. The incident has drawn varied reactions from public figures and politicians.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- MK Tali Gottlieb defended suspended host Eyal Berkovich and questioned MK Ahmad Tibi's doctorate.
- Channel 13 suspended Berkovich for alleged racist remarks about Tibi and another individual's titles.
- Gottlieb accused Channel 13 of hypocrisy for suspending Berkovich over remarks about terrorism supporters.
- She compared Berkovich's suspension to that of journalist Ayla Hasson from Kan 11.
- MK Tibi responded with anger and a satirical image, calling the broadcast "racist garbage."
Member of Knesset Tali Gottlieb of the Likud party has publicly supported suspended Channel 13 host Eyal Berkovich, questioning the medical title of fellow MK Ahmad Tibi. Gottlieb accused Channel 13's management of hypocrisy, stating they did not suspend Berkovich for insulting right-wing individuals but did so for his remarks about supporters of terrorism. She claimed Berkovich was suspended for questioning Tibi's doctorate, adding, "I also wonder. They say that on his first day of internship, he beat up a security guard at the hospital entrance and hasn't been seen there since."
Gottlieb drew parallels between Berkovich's suspension and that of journalist Ayla Hasson from the Kan 11 public broadcaster. Hasson was reportedly suspended after a dispute with her news division management over remarks she made about Bedouin women and election integrity in the Arab sector. Gottlieb described Berkovich's suspension as "sub-culture silencing" and Hasson's as an "act of bravery and truth-telling."
Berkovich's suspension followed his comments during a broadcast on the program "Moriah and Berkovich" where he questioned the doctorate of Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, an American politician with anti-Israel stances, and also referenced Tibi's title. Channel 13 condemned Berkovich's remarks as racist and immediately suspended him.
The incident has sparked widespread reactions. Dani Algart criticized the channel and its presenters for blatant racism, while Barak Ravid congratulated the channel for the move. Dror Rafael and Guy Maroz discussed broadcasting standards and double standards. MK Tibi initially reacted with anger, calling the broadcast "Channel 13's racist garbage can," and later posted a satirical AI image depicting him as a referee showing Berkovich a red card, with the caption "Both a doctor and an Arab."
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