Olympic Medalist Slams Minister Chikli for Mocking Russian Accent
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Olympic medalist Peter Paltchik condemned Minister Amichai Chikli for mocking the Russian accent of politician Avigdor Lieberman on the radio. Paltchik, an immigrant from the Soviet Union, stated the imitation was hurtful and inappropriate, especially given the contributions of Soviet immigrants to Israel. He demanded an apology from Chikli, who had not yet responded. The incident occurred shortly before the anniversary of the October 7th attacks.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Olympic medalist Peter Paltchik criticized Minister Amichai Chikli for mocking a Russian accent.
- Chikli mimicked the accent of Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman on the radio.
- Paltchik, an immigrant from the Soviet Union, called the imitation offensive and hurtful.
- He argued that the accent represents a community that has contributed greatly to Israel.
- Paltchik demanded an apology from Chikli for the remarks.
- Minister Chikli had not yet responded to Paltchik's criticism.
Olympic medalist Peter Paltchik has strongly criticized Minister Amichai Chikli after Chikli mimicked the Russian accent of Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman during a radio interview. Paltchik, who immigrated to Israel from the Soviet Union as a child, stated that Chikli's imitation was offensive and hurtful.
In the radio interview, Chikli used a Russian accent to quote Lieberman, saying, "I remember him saying 'I will finish Haniyeh within 48 hours... I will take all the ultra-Orthodox to the dump.'" This remark was made in the context of political criticism.
Paltchik responded in a video posted on social media, saying, "Shame on you, Chikli. The accent you are imitating to humiliate a political rival is the accent of Soviet immigrants. A whole public that has contributed so much to this country, and you turn their accent into a joke. I came to Israel as a child. I grew up here, I fought for the right to represent this country, and I had the honor of waving its flag on the biggest stages in the world."
He continued, "This is the accent of the home I came from. And when you turn it into a joke, it hurts me. Argue with Lieberman. Attack his positions. What does his accent have to do with it?! On the eve of October 7th, this is the example you set as a minister in Israel? You owe us an apology." As of the report, Chikli had not responded or apologized for his remarks.
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