Channel 14 Host's 'Monkey' Remark About MK Eisenkot Sparks Outrage
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Channel 14 presenter Yinon Magal caused a major controversy by calling MK Gadi Eisenkot, a former IDF Chief of Staff, a "monkey" during a live broadcast. The remark, which Magal attributed to underworld slang, was widely condemned by politicians and media figures, including former footballer Eyal Berkovich. Eisenkot himself responded by criticizing Magal's political backers. The "Yashar!" party compared the incident to a past ethnic slur, accusing Magal of contempt for the public.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Channel 14 presenter Yinon Magal called MK Gadi Eisenkot a "monkey" on live television.
- Magal claimed the term was underworld slang for a figurehead, not an insult to Eisenkot's appearance.
- Former footballer Eyal Berkovich strongly condemned Magal, calling his remarks "irreparable damage."
- MK Gadi Eisenkot criticized Magal's political backers, not Magal directly.
- The "Yashar!" party compared Magal's comments to a historical ethnic slur against Mizrahim.
- Magal's remarks have sparked widespread outrage in the political and media spheres.
Channel 14 presenter Yinon Magal ignited a firestorm with his on-air remarks about former IDF Chief of Staff and current MK Gadi Eisenkot during the program "HaPatriotim" on Saturday night. Magal, in a live broadcast, referred to Eisenkot as a "monkey" and claimed he was being manipulated by "elitist Ashkenazim." He further stated, "His name is Mizrahi Moroccan, his name is [like] a Moroccan prime minister for you. Here, as if we don't see reality."
The comments drew immediate condemnation. Former footballer and media personality Eyal Berkovich criticized Magal harshly, stating, "The man is finished. He is doing himself irreparable damage, he is crossing red lines, he is exaggerating. You call a former chief of staff a monkey? He served in the army, he lost his son, don't go so low. You are probably in a panic attack. You are losing it, you are crossing red lines."
Eisenkot himself responded, criticizing Magal's political circle rather than Magal directly. "Yinon Magal said I am a monkey operated by Ashkenazim, so I have nothing to answer to that lowlife. The problem is not Yinon Magal but the man standing behind him. We will bring change to the country, and we will remove the phenomenon of 'Magalism' and 'Bardugism' from our lives to bring a better country."
The "Yashar!" party also issued a strong statement, comparing Magal's remarks to the infamous "chachachim" (a derogatory term for Mizrahim) slur by entertainer Dudu Topaz 45 years prior. They accused Magal of "spreading lies" and showing "ugly truth" and "contempt for an entire public" due to fear of losing the upcoming elections.
Following the broadcast, Magal issued a clarification, asserting that he did not intend to insult Eisenkot's appearance. He claimed the term "monkey" was a slang expression from the criminal underworld, meaning someone placed in front to take the fall or be the operative.
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