Social Media Star Defends 'Pickle King' Amidst Boycott Calls

A political endorsement video has sparked a social media firestorm, leading to sharp calls for a boycott against Yehuda Ohayon, known as the "Pickle King" of Jerusalem's Mahane Yehuda market. Ohayon posted a video declaring his support for Knesset Member Gadi Eisenkot, stating he hoped Eisenkot would bring change to the nation and warning that failure to change could lead to a repeat of the October 7th attacks. The video quickly drew angry reactions from social media users who vowed to stop buying from him, aiming to harm his livelihood.

Social media personality Odia Pinto has publicly defended Ohayon against the boycott campaign. In a series of sharp Instagram stories, Pinto condemned the backlash, calling it "terrible and shocking" and urging people to "wake up to your lives quickly." She questioned the extreme polarization of the public, asking if people truly ostracize others for holding different opinions. Pinto expressed disgust at the hatred and boycott calls, stating, "It makes me sick."

Pinto further criticized those demanding the boycott, asking, "Are you crazy?" She argued that people should not harm another's livelihood over political views and suggested that those engaging in such behavior need to conduct serious self-reflection to understand the roots of their intense hatred and unhappiness.