Veteran Broadcaster Natan Zehavi Seeks New Job After Court Win Against 103FM

Veteran Israeli radio host Natan Zehavi announced he is looking for new employment following a legal victory against his former employer, radio station 103FM. The Tel Aviv District Court ruled earlier this week that 103FM unlawfully suspended Zehavi without pay for over two years. Judge Limor Bibi ordered the station to pay Zehavi approximately 796,500 shekels in back wages plus 75,000 shekels in legal fees.

The dispute began in November 2022 after Zehavi made controversial remarks on his show "Zehavi Angry" targeting ultra-Orthodox public officials, including a statement wishing some would hang themselves. In response, 103FM immediately suspended him and demanded an apology and guarantees for future compliance with broadcasting regulations. Zehavi refused, arguing through his lawyer Lior Epstein that unpaid suspension was not contractually permitted and that the station had unilaterally changed their agreement after years of tolerating his blunt style.

103FM countered that Zehavi breached the contract by ignoring directives and failing to meet obligations to the Second Authority for Television and Radio, the regulatory body. The court acknowledged the station's managerial authority but ruled the unpaid suspension violated the contract terms. However, the court rejected Zehavi's defamation and moral rights claims, upholding the station's statement that "freedom of expression has limits" as legally protected.

The court also terminated the contract between Zehavi and 103FM, leaving the station to decide whether to enforce a non-compete clause requiring continued payment or waive it so Zehavi can immediately join another media outlet. Zehavi posted on Facebook seeking serious job offers, highlighting his decades of experience and large audience reach.

Summary: After winning a court case against 103FM for unlawful unpaid suspension, veteran Israeli radio host Natan Zehavi is now seeking new employment opportunities.

Points: - Tel Aviv court orders 103FM to pay Natan Zehavi nearly 800,000 shekels for unpaid suspension. - Zehavi was suspended after making controversial remarks about ultra-Orthodox politicians in 2022. - Court ruled unpaid suspension breached contract but rejected Zehavi's defamation claims. - Contract between Zehavi and 103FM was terminated; non-compete clause enforcement remains undecided. - Zehavi publicly announced he is looking for new job offers with serious inquiries only.

Topic: politics israel_relevant: true Entities: {"people": ["Natan Zehavi", "Limor Bibi", "Lior Epstein"], "organizations": ["103FM", "Second Authority for Television and Radio"], "places": ["Tel Aviv"]}