Left-Wing Activist Challenges Amichai Segal and Channel 14 Over Alleged Lies on Air

A heated confrontation erupted during the current affairs show "Black Kippot" involving left-wing activist and journalist Tomer Avital, who launched a fierce attack against Channel 14 and senior Channel 12 commentator Amichai Segal. Avital accused Segal of spreading numerous falsehoods, citing what he called a "lie index" that documented over 400 false claims on Channel 14 and about 200 on Channel 12, half of which he attributed to Segal. He directly challenged Segal to sue him for defamation, stating, "There are 70 documented lies of his that we checked one by one. What will you do to me?"

The exchange intensified when Avinoam Kotser, a strategic advisor from the Religious Zionism party, responded sharply, accusing Avital of attempting to silence voices and likening his rhetoric to Bolshevism. Kotser referenced statements by Democratic Party leader Yair Golan against Channel 14 and warned, "You will not close anything here, neither the yeshivas nor Channel 14."

In response to accusations of wanting to shut down religious institutions and right-wing media, Avital clarified his position, emphasizing that he does not seek to close yeshivas or channels but demands equal law enforcement for all sectors, including Arabs, Haredim, and secular Israelis. He stressed that incitement and lying are illegal and must be addressed accordingly. The program "Black Kippot," hosted by Yossi Sergovsky, is a key platform for political debate on the Kikar HaShabbat website, where this contentious episode aired.