Channel 14 Host Yinon Magal Defends Calling Eisenkot 'Monkey'
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Channel 14 presenter Yinon Magal defended his use of the term 'monkey' to describe Gadi Eisenkot, stating it was a metaphor for manipulation, not a comment on appearance. Magal claimed his words were taken out of context amid a political campaign against him. He also criticized reactions from figures like Yair Lapid and suggested the controversies are linked to Channel 14's growing influence and ratings.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Channel 14 presenter Yinon Magal explained his controversial 'monkey' comment about Gadi Eisenkot was a metaphor for manipulation.
- Magal denied his remark was about Eisenkot's appearance, calling it a political attack.
- He accused critics, including Yair Lapid, of misrepresenting his words.
- Magal linked the controversies to the rise of Channel 14 and its ratings.
- He compared the current backlash to a previous controversy involving bereaved families.
Channel 14 presenter Yinon Magal addressed on Sunday night the controversy surrounding his recent remarks, in which he referred to Gadi Eisenkot as a 'monkey.' Magal rejected claims that his comment was related to Eisenkot's physical appearance, asserting that his words were taken out of context as part of a political campaign against him.
"I see a new Yinon Magal storm is developing, another fake storm ahead of the elections, so I need to clarify a few things," Magal began, explaining his choice of words. He stated that he called Eisenkot a 'monkey' not because he is ugly or looks like one, but as an expression borrowed from the underworld, signifying someone placed in front to be manipulated.
Magal elaborated that his remarks were made during a discussion on power dynamics in Israeli politics, which included a claim about an alliance between the Ashkenazi elite and the Arab public aimed at marginalizing Mizrahi Jews. He mentioned that during the discussion, it was brought up that Eisenkot himself is of Moroccan descent, and Magal responded with the controversial term.
Magal further attacked the reactions to his statement, particularly those from Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid, accusing his critics of misrepresenting his words. He compared the current controversy to criticism he faced the previous week regarding a list of names read aloud, some belonging to bereaved families, which he also claimed was distorted to appear as a deliberate attack.
Magal concluded by targeting Channel 12, suggesting that the controversies surrounding him are linked to the rise of Channel 14 and the declining ratings of competing channels. He presented rating data that he claimed indicated a weakening of Channel 12 and a strengthening of Channel 14, ending with a message of confidence to his viewers.
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