Patriots Panelist Defends Yinon Magal's 'Monkey' Remark
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Journalist Avi Shoshan defended Channel 14 host Yinon Magal after Magal called Gadi Eisenkot a "monkey." Shoshan, present during the panel, stated the term was understood as underworld slang for a manipulated person, not a racial slur. He also highlighted Magal's contribution to Mizrahi representation on TV and linked the incident to political maneuvering. Magal himself denied racist intent, explaining the term as underworld slang for a puppet.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Journalist Avi Shoshan defended Yinon Magal's use of the term "monkey" to describe Gadi Eisenkot.
- Shoshan stated the term was understood as underworld slang for a manipulated person, not a racial slur.
- He argued that Magal has significantly increased Mizrahi representation on television.
- Shoshan linked the controversy to broader political strategies and voter attraction.
- Magal himself denied racist intent, explaining the term as underworld slang for a puppet.
Journalist Avi Shoshan defended Yinon Magal, a host on Channel 14, against accusations of racism for calling Gadi Eisenkot a "monkey." Shoshan, who was present during the panel discussion, stated that those in attendance understood the term to mean someone being manipulated by others, not a racial slur. He clarified that he, along with fellow panelists Avishai Shtabbon and Atli, who are of Mizrahi descent, immediately grasped the slang meaning from the underworld.
Shoshan emphasized that the context of the remark was crucial and that the understanding was immediate, not a post-hoc justification. He further argued against the racism claims by highlighting Magal's role in increasing Mizrahi representation on television, questioning which other prime-time political panel features a Mizrahi majority. Shoshan also linked the discussion to broader political dynamics, suggesting that the choice of Eisenkot as a candidate to attract right-wing votes and the Kaplan protest's social dimensions were relevant.
Magal himself had previously addressed the controversy, denying any intention to compare Eisenkot to an animal. He explained that he used "monkey" as an underworld expression for a puppet, someone controlled by others. Shoshan concluded that there was no racism involved, but rather a political statement, and that inventing racism where there was a political comment was unnecessary.
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