Ben-Gvir Defends Magal Over 'Monkey' Remark, Calls Accusations 'Ridiculous'
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Otzma Yehudit Chairman Itamar Ben-Gvir defended Channel 14 presenter Yinon Magal after Magal called Gadi Eisenkot a "monkey." Ben-Gvir rejected claims of racism, stating Magal used the term politically to denote a "straw candidate." Magal also clarified his remarks, explaining the phrase was underworld slang for a manipulated figure. He stated the comment was made during a political discussion about excluding Mizrahim.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Itamar Ben-Gvir defended Yinon Magal's use of the term "monkey" to describe Gadi Eisenkot.
- Ben-Gvir rejected claims that Magal's comment was racist, calling it a political metaphor.
- Magal stated he used "monkey" as underworld slang for a manipulated political figure.
- The remark was made during a discussion about the exclusion of Mizrahim from political power.
- Ben-Gvir, a proud Mizrahi, dismissed accusations of racism against Magal and the Prime Minister.
Otzma Yehudit Chairman Itamar Ben-Gvir defended Channel 14 presenter Yinon Magal on Sunday, after Magal referred to Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the "Yashar" party, as a "monkey." Ben-Gvir rejected claims that Magal's comment was racist and intended to target Eisenkot's Mizrahi heritage. Instead, Ben-Gvir asserted that Magal used the term "monkey" in a political context to describe Eisenkot as a "straw candidate" manipulated by others.
"It's simply ridiculous to try and brand him as a racist and ignorant," Ben-Gvir wrote on his X account, emphasizing his long-standing relationship with Magal, who he said provided him with media platforms when others shied away. Ben-Gvir insisted that Magal's remark should be interpreted within the framework of a political argument, not as an ethnic slur. "Everyone understands that Yinon used the word 'monkey' in a political context, meaning a straw candidate that others are running," he stated, calling the interpretation as racism against Mizrahim a "complete distortion."
Ben-Gvir, who identifies as a proud Mizrahi, added that he would be the last to suspect Magal of viewing him or other Mizrahim as "monkeys." He drew a parallel to attempts to accuse the Prime Minister of ethnic prejudice, stating that Netanyahu had never offended him or anyone else on ethnic grounds during their time together in the cabinet. Ben-Gvir urged those quick to label Magal and attack the Prime Minister to pause, listen to the actual words, and reflect.
Magal himself had previously clarified his remarks, stating they were taken out of context. He explained that the term "monkey" was borrowed from underworld slang, referring to someone put forward to be manipulated. Magal elaborated that the comment was made during a discussion about a commentator's claim of an alliance between the Ashkenazi elite and the Arab public to exclude Mizrahim. He specifically addressed a commentator, saying, "Is he a Moroccan Mizrahi? He's a monkey they put in front and operate from behind by the Ashkenazi elite." Magal criticized the media coverage and political reactions, dismissing them as typical election-season fabrications and advising his viewers not to be swayed by the "storms."
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