Media Figure Eliraz Sade Comments on Yinon Magal's Controversial Remarks
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Media personality Yinon Magal sparked controversy by calling Gadi Eisenkot a "monkey" and accusing "elitist Ashkenazim" of controlling him. Magal later clarified he used the term from underworld slang for a figurehead. Eliraz Sade commented that while he believed Magal's intent, the language was problematic and questioned the selective use of such terms in political discourse. Sade concluded that "we are all a bit racist" and that the issue is when such language is used carelessly.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Yinon Magal called Gadi Eisenkot a "monkey" and accused "elitist Ashkenazim" of controlling him.
- Magal explained his use of "monkey" as underworld slang for a figurehead, not an insult to appearance.
- Eliraz Sade stated that while he believed Magal's intent, the phrasing and context were problematic.
- Sade questioned the selective application of such terms in political discourse.
- Sade concluded that "we are all a bit racist" and the problem arises when such language is used carelessly.
A political and media storm erupted following comments made by media personality Yinon Magal about Gadi Eisenkot during the "HaPatriotim" program. Magal referred to Eisenkot as a "monkey" and claimed that "elitist Ashkenazim" were controlling him from behind the scenes. He further stated, "His name is Mizrahi Moroccan, his name is a Moroccan prime minister. It's like we don't see reality." These remarks sparked outrage, prompting Magal to clarify his intentions. Magal explained that his use of the word "monkey" was not a comment on Eisenkot's appearance but a term from the underworld referring to someone placed at the forefront while others manage affairs from behind. He asserted, "I called Eisenkot a monkey not because he is ugly and looks like a monkey, but as an expression, yes, drawn from the underworld, where they put someone in front who is operated by others, who is the one they pin the blame on."
Media personality Eliraz Sade addressed the controversy in an article for I24NEWS. While acknowledging Magal's explanation of the underworld term, Sade suggested that the phrasing and context still carried implications. "I believe him that he meant the criminal monkey, but in the end, every monkey has monkey descendants, just as Sara Netanyahu used 'we are the baboons,' so too Yinon used monkey without being aware of his alleged racism," Sade wrote. He questioned the selective application of such terms in political discourse, asking why only Eisenkot was labeled a "monkey" controlled by "Ashkenazi operators," while other dynamics were not framed similarly.
Sade also commented on the composition of the "HaPatriotim" program's participants, noting the limited presence of Mizrahi individuals before Avishai Ben-Haim joined. He concluded by reflecting on public discourse and the use of racially charged language, stating, "In short, I have no problem with racism, because we are all a bit racist here and a bit racist there and don't pretend to be saints all of a sudden. I have a problem when it shoots on automatic and hits, or if you prefer when the monkey escapes, and sometimes the monkey escapes from us too."
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