Moriya Asraf Hits Back at 'Smear Campaign' Against Her After Eyal Berkovitch's Suspension

In depth

Moriya Asraf opened her show on Channel 13 with a monologue against what she described as a smear and de-legitimization campaign against her, days after her co-host Eyal Berkovitch was suspended. At the start of the program she addressed the public criticism against her and the suspension, and attacked what she described as a smear campaign against media figures with differing views. Asraf declared that she would not capitulate to pressure.

In the monologue, Asraf made clear that Berkovitch will return to broadcasting in the coming days. According to her, "the cargo and the ideology are stronger than the column writers," as she responded live on air to the demands for her removal. She said, "You will not be able to straighten me out," and added that Berkovitch is "a tremendous television man."

Asraf also addressed the suspension itself and the remarks by Berkovitch that led to it, describing them as "an inappropriate statement." A day after the suspension, she devoted only three words to his remarks about Ahmad Tibi, and the rest of the monologue to claims of silencing in the media.