Raviv Drucker sparks storm on 'The Patriots': What the Channel 13 host said

Journalist Raviv Drucker, host of the television program 'Azor Bechira' on Channel 13, delivered a sharp monologue on Tuesday criticizing the conduct of Knesset member Ahmad Tibi.

'Tibi has been a Knesset member since 1999. 27 years straight in the Knesset, yet the situation of Arab society has not improved during his tenure. Tibi was not elected on his own merits; he always rode on someone else's back to reach the Knesset. True, he is smart, witty, and a talented spokesperson for the Arab-Israeli cause, but when he reached the ultimate test against the change government, he brought it down. He brought Netanyahu and Smotrich upon us only because he could not stand the success of Mansour Abbas. Now Tibi, and only Tibi, is the obstacle to the necessary union between Hadash and Balad. The argument is merely about whether his cousin Osama will be number 6 on the list or number 9,' said Drucker.

The host added: 'Arab society is bleeding and yearning for its representatives to rise to the magnitude of the hour and unite their forces. Doctor Tibi, I like you very much personally, but enough, stop with this.'

Yotam Zimri, a panelist on the television program 'The Patriots' on Channel 14, rejected Drucker's choice of words, particularly his public declaration of affection for the veteran politician.

'One must remind people regarding Ahmad Tibi that he is a terrible person. He was Yasser Arafat's advisor—a man who slaughtered and spilled Jewish blood in quantities that flowed like wine on October 7th and even more. This man is a radical Palestinian nationalist and a racist against Jews. Therefore, all this rhetoric from the Left of "Ahmad, don't be offended, as a person I love you, only your politics get in the way" is wrong! It must be said that even as a person, he is an enemy of the people of Israel who spilled much blood. He and his mission, and what he and Arafat did, is terrible and awful,' said Zimri.