New Reality Show 'The Promised Land' Criticized for Negative Portrayal of Israel
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- New reality show "The Promised Land" criticized for negative portrayal of Israel.
- Show follows five Jewish participants from the Americas deciding on aliyah.
- Participants face difficult acclimation experiences and awkward interactions.
- Critics argue the show entertains Israelis by mocking foreigners.
- The series is accused of showing the "ugliest Israeli" to participants.
A new reality television series on Israel's Channel 13, titled "The Promised Land," is facing criticism for its depiction of the country and the immigration process. The show follows five Jewish participants from North and South America who are given two weeks to decide whether to make aliyah (immigrate to Israel) or return to their home countries. The premise is framed as fulfilling a divine vision, but the article argues the show instead presents a harsh and unflattering reality of Israeli life.
The participants are housed in a cramped apartment in Tel Aviv with a broken elevator and are subjected to various experiences designed to acclimate them to Israeli culture. These include encounters with eccentric personalities, a visit to Bnei Brak where they are exposed to cursing, a challenging military-style bonding exercise, and dating scenarios. The show also simulates missile attacks and air raid sirens, and teaches them how to behave like "Israelis."
One episode features a participant from Texas struggling with driving, receiving advice from an instructor that includes honking when the light turns orange and ignoring pedestrians at crosswalks. Another participant, a Canadian Jew, is taken by a lawyer to a business meeting in an Arab village, where he is warned about the dangers of the area and experiences a frighteningly fast car ride. The article notes that these interactions often lead to awkward and embarrassing moments, particularly for the Israelis involved.
The author contends that the show is not genuinely aimed at encouraging aliyah but rather at entertaining existing Israelis by allowing them to laugh at the naivete of foreigners, their broken Hebrew, and their reactions to typical Israeli behavior. The series, according to the critique, ultimately presents a "promised land" that is far from the divine vision promised to Abraham, instead showcasing what the author calls the "ugliest Israeli" directly to the participants' faces.
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