Iconic Israeli Political Satire 'Polishuk' Returns to Screen

The acclaimed Israeli satirical comedy-drama series 'Polishuk,' which offered a cynical look behind the scenes of the country's political system, is set to return to television screens. Created and written by Shmuel Hasfari, the show originally aired on Channel 2 from May 31, 2009, to 2015, spanning three seasons and 39 episodes.

All previous episodes will be re-broadcast in a new "micro-drama" format on the V1 app, a platform from Keshet 12. The announcement, timed ahead of upcoming elections, was made with the tagline, "The ballot boxes are opening, the schemes are returning." The new format will feature condensed episodes focusing on the political intrigue, schemes, and chaos that defined the original series.

'Polishuk' centered on the character of Rubi Polishuk, an unremarkable Knesset member unexpectedly appointed as the "Minister for Social Advancement." He finds himself overwhelmed by spin doctors, cunning advisors, and coalition intrigues. The role of Rubi Polishuk was played by Sasson Gabay, alongside a cast including Guy Loel as advisor Kuzi Avital, Shiri Gadani as communications advisor Tkuma, Hanna Azoulay-Hasfari as Chief of Staff Soli, Amnon Dankner as party chairman Chumi Shelit, Menashe Noy as Boli Bobes, and Dana Avraham-Samu as secretary Vicky.

The series garnered significant success and praise for its dark humor and precise satire. Many of the bizarre situations and political spins depicted in the show have been retrospectively seen as eerily prescient, accurately foreshadowing real-life events in Israeli politics in the years that followed its original run.