Dudu Topaz denies link to Channel 2 assaults

The entertainer Dudu Topaz yesterday denied rumors of his involvement in two recent physical assaults on Channel 2 executives. "How can I prove that I didn't do something like that? I can answer you humorously: I didn't kill Dana Bennett or Rabin either. But I won't answer humorously. It's scary."

Topaz also told Haaretz that the police had not summoned him for questioning.

Topaz said that Channel 2 franchisee Reshet was making a film about him, the contract for which he was very happy to sign. "The other signatory was the management of Reshet, including Shira Margalit," Topaz said. Reshet executive Shira Margalit was attacked outside her home last week, and Keshet CEO Avi Nir was attacked in November 2008, both by unknown assailants. "Someone stupid and cruel is spreading these rumors," Topaz told Channel 2 last night.

Some figures in Israel's television industry said they were ready to swear that Topaz could not possibly have been involved in the attacks; others said they were not surprised to hear his name in connection with the incidents.

Topaz, who was a TV star for many years, has declined in popularity and he no longer has a regular show.

In 1995 Topaz broke the glasses of TV critic Meir Schnitzer after the latter wrote an unflattering review of Topaz's program in the newspaper Hadashot. Problems also arose after Topaz bit children's star Natalia Oreiro on the shoulder when she was a guest on his show. Keshet canceled Topaz's program on Channel 2 in 2005. On the night of the premiere of a new show on Channel 10 in 2006, Topaz sent Nir flowers with a note that said "May the best man win."

On his blog Topaz has been critical of the level of television.