Wire

Sign in to baba News

One account across the web, iPhone and Android — your subscription follows it.

or use an email code

Search stories

Type at least two characters. Results come from every newsroom baba reads.

↑↓ to move · ↵ to open · esc to close

Sign in to baba News

Sign in to keep asking. News Plus removes the daily limit.

or use an email code

Behadrei HaredimPolitics

Israeli Media Personality Sparks Outrage With Racist Slur Against Politician

Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba

ReligiousCharged tone

Hebrew · 15 newsrooms covering

Media personality Yinon Magal has been accused of racism for allegedly calling Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, a "monkey operated by Ashkenazim." Eisenkot responded by dismissing the remark as "low-level," while his party condemned Magal's comments as racist and compared them to a historical slur against Mizrahi Jews. The Yisrael Beiteinu party expressed confidence in Eisenkot's electoral prospects ahead of the upcoming elections.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

  • Media personality Yinon Magal allegedly called politician Gadi Eisenkot a "monkey operated by Ashkenazim."
  • Gadi Eisenkot dismissed the remark as "low-level" and criticized the person behind Magal.
  • Eisenkot's Yisrael Beiteinu party accused Magal of racism, comparing the slur to a historical insult.
  • The party linked Magal's comments to Eisenkot's Mizrahi heritage and the upcoming elections.
  • Yisrael Beiteinu expressed confidence in Eisenkot's chances to become prime minister.
Israeli Media Personality Sparks Outrage With Racist Slur Against Politician
Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Media personality Yinon Magal ignited a firestorm on Saturday evening after allegedly calling Gadi Eisenkot, the leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, a "monkey operated by Ashkenazim." Eisenkot responded in a video, stating he had no response to such a "low-level" remark and that the real issue was "the person behind Yinon Magal." He vowed to bring change to Israel and move past "Magalism and Bardugism" to create a better country.

The Yisrael Beiteinu party issued a harsh statement accusing Magal of racism, linking his comments to Eisenkot's Mizrahi (Eastern) heritage. The party drew a parallel to a 45-year-old speech by comedian Dudu Topaz, who referred to Mizrahim as "Chachachim" (a derogatory term). "45 years after Dudu Topaz called Mizrahim Chachachim, Netanyahu's senior mouthpiece, who makes a living spreading lies and poison, calls this evening a candidate for prime minister... a monkey," the party's statement read, questioning Magal's motives.

The party asserted that Magal's fear of losing the upcoming election was revealing his "ugly truth" and contempt for a large population segment. They expressed confidence that Eisenkot, described as the son of Moroccan immigrants, a Golani Brigade fighter, and raised in the periphery, would be elected prime minister in the elections scheduled for ten days later.

Behadrei HaredimHaredi · Jerusalem

Sign in to baba News

Sign in to follow newsrooms, topics and people.

or use an email code

Sign in to baba News

Sign in to follow newsrooms, topics and people.

or use an email code

Mentioned

Full coverage · 16 outlets
First: Panet · 4h ago

The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.

Related stories · 5

Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.

Open the Wire