Netanyahu Condemns Racist Remarks by Channel 14 Commentator
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Channel 14 commentator Yinon Magal for calling Gadi Eisenkot a "monkey" and alleging he was controlled by "elitist Ashkenazim." Eisenkot responded, dismissing Magal's remarks and vowing change. The "Yashar!" party also condemned Magal, comparing his comments to past racist slurs. Magal later claimed his remark was metaphorical, not literal, and that the controversy was politically motivated.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned commentator Yinon Magal's "very inappropriate" racist remarks about Gadi Eisenkot.
- Yinon Magal called Gadi Eisenkot a "monkey" controlled by "elitist Ashkenazim" on Channel 14.
- Gadi Eisenkot dismissed Magal's comments as "sub-standard" and blamed "the person standing behind him."
- The "Yashar!" party compared Magal's remarks to past racist slurs against Mizrahim.
- Magal later claimed his "monkey" comment was a metaphor for being a figurehead, not literal.
- Magal accused critics of creating an artificial "fake storm" ahead of elections.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned remarks made by Channel 14 commentator Yinon Magal, who referred to Gadi Eisenkot, a candidate for prime minister, as a "monkey" and claimed he was being controlled by "elitist Ashkenazim." Netanyahu stated in an interview on Radio Tzafon 104.5FM that Magal's statement was "very inappropriate" and that he wished Eisenkot would condemn similar remarks made by others against Likud members.
Eisenkot responded to Magal's comments, dismissing them as "sub-standard" and suggesting the real issue was not Magal himself but "the person standing behind him." He vowed to bring change to the country and eliminate "Magalism and Bardugism" for a better future.
The "Yashar!" party issued a strong condemnation, comparing Magal's words to past offensive statements, including Dudu Topaz's use of the slur "tchachachim" against Mizrahim 45 years ago. They accused Magal of revealing the "ugly truth" and contempt for an entire public due to fear of losing the election.
Following the backlash, Magal clarified that his use of the word "monkey" was not related to Eisenkot's appearance but was an expression from the underworld meaning someone placed in front to take the fall while others operate from behind. He also claimed the ensuing controversy was an artificial "fake storm" being manufactured ahead of the elections.
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