Channel 14 Host Reveals Panelist Fired After Confrontation

Channel 14 host Yinon Magal revealed on air Monday that fellow panelist Amichai Atali was removed from the program "The Patriots" following a dispute with another panelist, Yotam Zimri. Magal clarified that Atali's departure was not a resignation, and shared the statement he claims led to the dismissal. Atali had appeared on Channel 13 and criticized "The Patriots," prompting a strong reaction from his former colleagues.

"I've never encountered anything like this. Someone leaves a show, goes to another studio and trashes the program," Magal stated, referencing comments made by Guy Maroz on air. Magal addressed Atali's possibility of returning to "The Patriots," asserting, "He was dismissed from the program! Because he offended Zimri and told him: With all due respect, you, the firefighter from the Air Force."

Magal explained his objection to Atali's remark, stating, "First, it's unacceptable to me that people speak like that on the program. Second, Zimri was not a firefighter in the Air Force. Third, I expect someone who claims to represent the IDF soldiers all day not to belittle Air Force firefighters."

Guy Maroz initially brought up the controversy, criticizing Atali despite never having been on a panel with him. "There's a guy I've never sat with on the show, Atali. I don't know him personally. Today he did something, listen, I've worked at all the TV and radio channels, I'm very senior, I've never encountered anything like this. He sat on Channel 13 and smeared, dirtied 'The Patriots.' Why do I say I haven't encountered this? Because I don't recall a time when someone working on a show, the next day, badmouths it on another channel. I don't remember such a thing."

In addition to Atali's conduct after leaving the show, Magal refuted another claim made by the former panelist. Magal stated that Atali presented himself as having a unique combination of characteristics not found in other participants. "I'll just address that he said he's the only one who is Mizrahi, wears a kippah, and does reserve duty, something like that. With all due respect, there's also Avishai, Yoni Shtabbon, Busi, and Vicky here."

Yotam Zimri, with whom the confrontation allegedly led to Atali's dismissal, also responded. Zimri attacked Atali for what he perceived as a double standard in his treatment of different media outlets. "He badmouths Channel 14, but always defends Yedioth Ahronoth. You can tell where a person's head is based on this perception."