Israeli Satirist Reshef Shay on Humor, Unity, and the Absurdity of Life

Writer Reshef Shay believes that in Israel, irony often dictates events, especially when they conclude peacefully, citing the recent attempted hijacking of a Flydubai plane. He observed that even political figures from opposing camps, like Naama Lazimi and Almog Cohen, liked a tweet he posted about the incident, highlighting a rare moment of unity. Shay, known for his work on popular Israeli shows like "Eretz Nehederet" and "HaYehudim Baim," discussed the role of humor in dark times, noting that satire quickly resurfaced after October 7th. He explained that early "Eretz Nehederet" sketches focused on boosting morale and finding common ground, such as a skit about people from all political factions boarding a bus for reserve duty. Shay also touched on the show's satire of Prime Minister Netanyahu's perceived evasion of responsibility following the Hamas attacks, including a sketch where Netanyahu claims ignorance of Hamas.

Shay reflected on how humor can process traumatic events, referencing a sketch about "Rachel Cookies" (Rachel Edri) that uplifted spirits. He also mentioned a sketch titled "Yishkach Im Yisrael" (Israel Will Forget), which critiqued the desire to move past difficult events versus the need to remember them. He believes that even five years ago, the Flydubai plane incident, especially with a plumber hero, would have been ripe for comedic commentary. Shay argued that in Israel, humor is a coping mechanism, particularly for secular Israelis who feel a connection to Jewish narratives and find humor in their absurdity, drawing parallels to Western comedians.

Discussing his new youth series "Ha'Sederim," Shay described it as a personal exploration of social anxiety and finding structure, inspired by his own experiences and 80s/90s films. He also shared his views on the upcoming elections, calling them crucial for Portugal and expressing a belief that those in power on October 7th should be held accountable. Shay is skeptical about the future, suggesting people live as if AI will replace them, and he has experimented with AI for writing but finds it lacks genuine emotion. He prefers focusing on screenwriting over political campaigns, despite offers, emphasizing his commitment to storytelling.