TV Host Calls Former IDF Chief of Staff a 'Monkey,' Sparks Outrage

Translated & summarized from Ice by baba

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Channel 14 host Yinon Magal has caused a political uproar by calling former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot a "monkey" controlled by "elitist Ashkenazim." Eisenkot condemned the remarks as "sub-human," while Magal's party compared the comments to past offensive slurs. This incident follows other recent controversies involving Magal, including remarks about protest participants and the Bibas family, for which he previously apologized.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Channel 14 host Yinon Magal called former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot a "monkey."
Magal claimed Eisenkot was being controlled by "elitist Ashkenazim."
Eisenkot denounced Magal's remarks as "sub-human."
The "Yashar!" party condemned Magal's comments as contemptuous and fear-driven.
Magal recently apologized for calling protest participants "abominable."

TV Host Calls Former IDF Chief of Staff a 'Monkey,' Sparks Outrage — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Channel 14 host Yinon Magal ignited a political firestorm with derogatory remarks about Gadi Eisenkot, former IDF Chief of Staff and chairman of the "Yashar!" party. During his program "HaPatriotim," Magal referred to Eisenkot as a "monkey" and claimed he was being controlled by "elitist Ashkenazim." Magal further stated, "His name is Mizrahi, Moroccan, his name is a Moroccan prime minister. It's like we don't see reality." The comments immediately drew widespread condemnation.

Eisenkot responded swiftly, calling Magal's remarks "sub-human" and stating the real problem was "the man standing behind him." He vowed to bring change to Israel and eradicate "Magalism and Bardugism" from public life. The "Yashar!" party issued a strong statement, comparing Magal's comments to past offensive remarks and accusing him of "contempt for an entire public" fueled by fear of losing.

This incident adds to a series of controversial statements by Magal. Last week, he faced backlash for calling participants in a protest book against Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu "abominable and vile people." He also suggested the Bibas family should apologize to Netanyahu for a "false accusation" and that their only absolution would be voting for Netanyahu. Magal later apologized for those remarks.