MK Ahmad Tibi Threatens Lawsuit Against TV Hosts Over Doctorate Remarks
Translated & summarized from Hamal by baba
Member of Knesset Ahmad Tibi is demanding 150,000 shekels from Channel 13 hosts Eyal Berkovich and Moriah Asraf for allegedly defamatory remarks about his doctorate. Tibi, a medical doctor, views the comments made during a broadcast on Saturday as offensive and humiliating. He has given the hosts and the station seven days to issue a public apology and remove the segment, or he will file a lawsuit. Channel 13 stated that the broadcast made it clear Tibi is a doctor.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- MK Ahmad Tibi is suing TV hosts Eyal Berkovich and Moriah Asraf for 150,000 shekels over alleged defamation.
- Tibi claims the hosts made "offensive, humiliating, and racist" remarks about his doctoral degree on Channel 13.
- The incident occurred during a discussion about another politician's doctorate, which then shifted to Tibi's credentials.
- Tibi, a medical doctor, will donate any awarded compensation to scholarships for needy students.
- He demands a public apology and removal of the broadcast segment within seven days, or legal action will follow.
- Channel 13 stated that the broadcast clearly indicated Tibi holds a doctorate.
Member of Knesset Dr. Ahmad Tibi is threatening a defamation lawsuit against Eyal Berkovich and Moriah Asraf, hosts of the Channel 13 program "Moriah and Berko." Tibi is demanding 150,000 shekels in compensation for remarks made on air about his doctoral degree. In a pre-litigation warning letter sent by his lawyer, Gilad Barnea, it was claimed that the hosts made "offensive, humiliating, and racist" statements about Tibi.
Tibi, who is a physician by training and holds a doctorate in medicine, considers the exchange a deliberate attack on his good name. His lawyer argues that the comments constitute libel under the law, potentially causing him public humiliation, ridicule, and damage to his status and reputation. Tibi has announced that any compensation received will be donated to scholarships for needy students.
The incident occurred during a broadcast on Saturday, in a conversation with reporter Suliman Maswadeh about American politician Dr. Abdul El-Sied. When Maswadeh introduced El-Sied as a doctor, Berkovich interrupted, questioning if El-Sied's doctorate was verified. Asraf then joked, "It's not another Dostoyevsky, it's a doctor." The conversation quickly shifted to Tibi, with Berkovich questioning his title and asking him to "bring the certificate."
Maswadeh attempted to clarify, stating, "But he is also a doctor. Tibi is also a doctor and he was a doctor." Berkovich persisted, questioning Tibi's credentials and then jokingly asking Asraf if she was also a doctor. Asraf responded with a laugh about her father praying for her to finish her bachelor's degree.
Tibi's legal demand includes a public retraction and detailed apology from Berkovich, Asraf, and the production company on their next broadcast, with equal prominence to the original remarks. He also demands the removal of the broadcast segment from all online platforms and social media controlled by the station. The letter sets a seven-day ultimatum. If the demands are not met, Tibi's lawyer warns he will pursue legal action, including a lawsuit for defamation without proof of damages.
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