Poet Oded Carmeli Recounts Shocking Encounter with Sara Netanyahu
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
Poet Oded Carmeli has revealed a sensational account of his past work for Sara Netanyahu, describing her as erratic and demanding during his time writing a proposal for a documentary about her father. Carmeli likened the experience to meeting "Marie Antoinette" and felt compelled to publish the story after 16 years, despite fears of backlash. He discussed his motivations in a subsequent interview, emphasizing his commitment to truth and artistic integrity. Carmeli also detailed his literary career, including founding a journal and a poetry festival, and his ongoing critiques of the Israeli literary scene.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Poet Oded Carmeli published a sensational account of his past work for Sara Netanyahu.
- Carmeli described his encounter with Sara Netanyahu as surreal, likening her to "Marie Antoinette."
- He detailed alleged erratic behavior and outbursts from Sara Netanyahu during their interactions.
- Carmeli felt compelled to publish the story after 16 years, overcoming fears of backlash.
- The poet also discussed his literary career, including founding a journal and a poetry festival.
- He expressed a strong commitment to artistic integrity and combating mediocrity in culture.
Poet Oded Carmeli, known for his prolific literary output and energetic persona, has recently gained widespread attention not for his poetry, but for a sensational account of his past work for Sara Netanyahu. Carmeli, who began publishing at 16 and has since established himself as a significant figure in the Israeli literary scene, detailed his experience working for the then-First Lady in a piece published in Haaretz's weekend supplement. The article, which Carmeli describes as a "gonzo story" and a "shocking human document," recounts his time as a 27-year-old impoverished poet hired to write a proposal for a documentary series about Sara Netanyahu's father, Bible teacher Samuel Ben-Artzi.
Carmeli's account paints a vivid, and at times disturbing, picture of Sara Netanyahu. He describes her as demanding, prone to outbursts, and exhibiting erratic behavior, including death wishes for Shimon Peres and intense discussions about potential ministers with her aide Natan Eshkol. Carmeli likens the experience to meeting "Marie Antoinette," emphasizing the surreal and disconnected nature of their encounter. He states that despite the 16-year delay in publication, he felt compelled to share his experience, driven by a sense of truth and a desire to overcome the fear of backlash from what he calls the "poison machine."
In a subsequent interview with Walla Culture, Carmeli elaborated on his motivations and experiences. He expressed no regret for publishing the story, stating that the Netanyahu family has remained silent, which he interprets as an acknowledgment of his truthfulness. Carmeli also discussed his personal life, including his struggles with alcohol, his artistic endeavors such as founding the literary journal "Ketem" and the Tel Aviv Poetry Festival, and his ongoing battles within the literary world. He defended his critical stance, asserting that he is not biting the hand that feeds him, as public funds support cultural initiatives.
Carmeli's background is also explored, detailing his upbringing in Kfar Saba, his early entrepreneurial spirit, and his academic pursuits. He reflects on his influences, including poets like David Avidan and Yair Horowitz, and his unique approach to creativity, which involves exploring reality through poetry and alcohol. He also touches upon his military service as a combat medic and his subsequent discharge due to a traumatic event. The article highlights Carmeli's ongoing commitment to challenging the status quo in Israeli culture, advocating for artistic independence and fiercely criticizing mediocrity and hypocrisy within the literary and cultural spheres.
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