Comedian Recounts Confrontation With Actress Over Police Commissioner Defense
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
Stand-up comedian Nadav Abukasis detailed an encounter with actress Orly Zilberschatz in Tel Aviv, where she confronted him for defending Police Commissioner Dani Levy. Abukasis stated Zilberschatz refused to hear his explanation and rode away. He believes this incident highlights the personal cost of his public stances and the current polarized social climate. Abukasis also discussed the intense online criticism he has faced for his views, leading him to limit his public commentary on political issues.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Comedian Nadav Abukasis reported an argument with actress Orly Zilberschatz over his defense of the Police Commissioner.
- Abukasis stated Zilberschatz refused to listen to his explanation and fled on her bicycle.
- The comedian believes his right-wing views make him a target for public criticism and online hate.
- He feels it is currently harder to be right-wing in Israel than to be openly gay.
- Abukasis has reduced his involvement in public discourse due to the intense backlash.
Stand-up comedian Nadav Abukasis described an unpleasant encounter with actress Orly Zilberschatz in Tel Aviv, which he believes reflects the personal and public price he pays for his views. The incident occurred after Abukasis defended Police Commissioner Dani Levy, who faced criticism over leaked recordings allegedly containing remarks against the LGBTQ+ community.
Abukasis recounted that after attending a play starring Zilberschatz, he met her by chance at a bus stop. When he complimented her performance, she recognized him and confronted him about his defense of the Police Commissioner. According to Abukasis, when he attempted to explain his position, Zilberschatz refused to listen, stating "No," and then rode away on her bicycle.
Abukasis expressed frustration with her reaction, questioning why she would make a decision about him and then flee without hearing him out. He asserted that it is permissible to joke about everyone without being labeled a homophobe. He also reflected on the current social climate, suggesting that it is currently more difficult to be right-wing than to be openly gay, a significant shift from 30 years ago.
The comedian shared his experience of receiving harsh criticism and hateful comments online, particularly after a past article in Haaretz newspaper. He stated that he avoids reading online comments to protect himself from the negativity. This reluctance to engage with opposing views has led him to reduce his participation in current affairs panels, as he felt it was negatively impacting his career.
Abukasis clarified that he views the national discourse not as a simple left-right divide, but as a conflict between those who believe things are good in Israel and those who believe they are bad. At 55, while working on a new comedy series, he remains committed to his craft but is mindful of the challenges of expressing oneself in an era where words can be easily taken out of context.