Eyal Berkovitz Suspended by Channel 13 After Remarks About Ahmad Tibi; Tibi Threatens Lawsuit

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Channel 13 suspended Eyal Berkovitz from its broadcasts over his remarks mocking Ahmad Tibi and questioning his academic title. The network said freedom of speech is not a license for racist statements. The decision was made a day after the broadcast that sparked a storm, and according to the network's statement, the remarks made on the program are unacceptable and are not in line with the values of society.

In his program, Berkovitz mocked American politician Abdul al-Sayed and Ahmad Tibi, and cast doubt on their doctorate degrees. Knesset member Tibi is also a physician by training, and completed his medical studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1983. The suspension was decided a few days after the heated confrontation between Berkovitz and the channel's presenter Lucy Aharish.

Tibi has sent a warning letter ahead of a lawsuit against Berkovitz, Moriya Asraf, Channel 13 and 13 News, demanding 150,000 shekels in compensation, a public apology and the removal of the segment from the network. Berkovitz's son came to his father's defense and attacked the decision, while Knesset member Tali Gotliv joined the storm and also cast doubt on Tibi's title.