Moriyah Asraf Defends Suspended Co-Host, Vows to Remain Unchanged

Moriyah Asraf, co-host of Channel 13's "Moriyah and Berkovich," delivered a defiant monologue on Sunday, a day after her partner Eyal Berkovich was suspended from broadcasting. Asraf addressed public criticism, condemning what she termed a "de-legitimization campaign" against journalists with non-mainstream views. She officially announced that Berkovich is expected to return to the airwaves within days.

Asraf shared her past frustrations with media imbalance, recalling her youth spent watching TV and waiting for a voice that echoed her own thoughts. She argued that despite recent improvements in diversity, a core issue persists: "In recent months, and especially in recent days, the smear and de-legitimization campaign directed at media personnel holding views different from those accepted in the mainstream media is getting out of control."

Referencing an opinion piece in the newspaper Haaretz that called for her dismissal, Asraf stated, "I will not be straightened out. The arguments, the substance, the ideology, they are much stronger than a few tweeters and columnists." She directly addressed Berkovich's absence, confirming his return soon and emphasizing the show's commitment to dialogue with all segments of Israeli society, particularly those whose voices are often unheard.

The controversy erupted following an interview where Berkovich questioned the credentials of Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, a public figure with perceived anti-Israel stances, during a discussion with Channel 13 reporter Suliman Maswadeh. Berkovich's remarks, comparing El-Sayed's title to that of Ahmed Tibi, were deemed racist by Channel 13, leading to his immediate suspension. The incident sparked widespread reactions from public figures and politicians, including Tibi, who labeled the program "Channel 13's racist garbage dump."