Ariel Berkowitz questioned over live TV confrontation as right-wing activist is detained again

Israeli TV host Eyal Berkowitz is being questioned under caution at a police station over a physical confrontation that took place in the Channel 13 newsroom and sparked a public uproar. According to police sources, he was summoned after an incident during a live broadcast of Channel 13 News.

During an interview with MK Zvika Sukkot, Berkowitz reportedly pulled out patches with provocative slogans and tried to force them onto the lawmaker’s jacket, standing up and moving physically closer to him. The questioning is taking place now, and police have not released further details about possible charges.

At the same time, right-wing activist Mordechai David was detained again for questioning after blocking Lucy Aharish and her husband, actor Tzahi Halevi, as they left court. Aharish is the main prosecution witness in case 1000 in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trial.

This is not David’s first recent run-in with police. Last week, at the request of the State Attorney’s Office, he was questioned under caution on suspicion of trespass, invasion of privacy, and disturbing the peace after blocking former Supreme Court President Aharon Barak’s vehicle. Law-enforcement officials said they believe the evidence in that case is strong enough to support an indictment, and the prosecution is expected to review the files in the coming weeks. David has also blocked the car of former prime minister Ehud Barak and called Aharon Barak, among other insults, “Khamenei.”

Separately, Hadas Klein filed another complaint against David over an incident in Tel Aviv in which he was filmed chasing her in the street, shouting at her, and trying to get physically close. David denied the allegation on X, saying the claims that he attacked or shoved Klein were false and that the footage shows he never touched her. Police are expected to examine that complaint as well.