Yinon Magal Defends 'Monkey' Remark Amid Left-Wing Outcry
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Television host Yinon Magal has fiercely defended his use of the term "monkey" to describe politician Gadi Eisenkot, calling the ensuing criticism "fake" and "embarrassing." Magal clarified that he meant Eisenkot was a "straw man" manipulated by others, not a racial slur, citing a similar past usage regarding Naftali Bennett. While Prime Minister Netanyahu condemned the remark, Shas Chairman Arie Deri defended Magal, accusing the left of "cheap demagoguery" and a media double standard. The controversy began during a discussion on Magal's show, 'The Patriots.'
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Yinon Magal defended calling Gadi Eisenkot a "monkey," stating the criticism is "so fake, it's embarrassing."
- Magal explained the term meant Eisenkot was a "straw man" manipulated by others, not a racial slur.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Magal's remarks.
- Shas Chairman Arie Deri defended Magal, calling the accusations "cheap demagoguery."
- The controversy began during a discussion on Magal's show, 'The Patriots.'
- Magal previously used the same term for former PM Naftali Bennett.
Yinon Magal, host of the television program 'The Patriots,' has strongly responded to criticism leveled against him for referring to Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the 'Yashar' party, as a 'monkey' during a discussion. Magal dismissed the interpretation of his words and the ensuing backlash, stating, 'It's so fake, it's embarrassing.' He likened the outrage to his belief that Prime Minister Netanyahu received positive media coverage, suggesting both are fabricated.
Magal explained that his use of the term 'monkey' in reference to Eisenkot was intended to mean a straw man, someone manipulated by others behind the scenes, and not a racial slur. He further elaborated that the term is commonly used in criminal circles to describe a front person for hidden operators. Magal pointed out that he had previously used the same term in 2021 to describe former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who is not of Mizrahi descent, in a similar context of being a tool for others' agendas.
The controversy ignited during a segment on 'The Patriots' where Avishai Ben Haim argued that the current election cycle was anti-Mizrahi. Amichai Etali then suggested that if Gadi Eisenkot won, he would become the first Mizrahi prime minister. Magal's response was, 'He's a monkey, you look, a monkey behind whom all the elitist Ashkenazim are running him.'
Magal's reaction also included a sharp critique of the newspaper 'Israel Hayom' for a push notification that compared his alleged racist remarks to those of Dudu Topaz, a controversial comedian. Magal accused the media of manufacturing a controversy to portray him as racist against Mizrahim, a characterization he vehemently rejects. He suggested this tactic was an attempt to sway Mizrahi voters to the left, implying critics underestimate their intelligence.
The incident has drawn mixed reactions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Magal's remarks. Conversely, Arie Deri, Chairman of Shas, defended Magal, calling the accusations of racism 'cheap demagoguery' and 'pathetic mind manipulation.' Deri also criticized the media for what he perceived as a double standard, contrasting the condemnation of Magal with the lack of similar outrage over remarks made by Yair Golan, Chairman of the Democrats, against the Haredi public.
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