Israeli Broadcaster Denounced for Calling Politician a 'Monkey'

By מערכת ice

Translated & summarized from Ice by baba

BusinessCharged tone

Hebrew · 2 newsrooms covering

Radio host Yinon Magal ignited controversy by calling politician Gadi Eisenkot a "monkey" during a live broadcast, implying he was controlled by "elitist Ashkenazim." Legal correspondent Guy Peleg condemned the remark as "base racism" and "Bibism." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Magal's statement "very inappropriate" but also criticized Eisenkot for not condemning attacks against Likud members.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Radio host Yinon Magal called politician Gadi Eisenkot a "monkey" on air, sparking widespread condemnation.
Guy Peleg described Magal's remarks as "base racism" and "Bibism," suggesting a deeper, manipulative intent.
Gadi Eisenkot stated the problem was not Magal but those behind him, vowing to bring change.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deemed Magal's comment "very inappropriate."
Netanyahu also criticized Eisenkot for not condemning attacks against Likud members.

Israeli Broadcaster Denounced for Calling Politician a 'Monkey' — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Radio host and TV presenter Yinon Magal sparked widespread controversy in Israel after calling Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yishar party, a "monkey" during a live broadcast. Magal made the remark during a discussion about Eisenkot, a political rival of the Prime Minister. Magal told journalist Amihai Atali that Eisenkot was being controlled by "elitist Ashkenazim" and that "a monkey was put behind him." He further stated, "They put a Moroccan-Israeli in front of you, and you say, 'But they put a Moroccan prime minister in front of you, what more do you need.' Come on. As if we don't see reality. These are the emperor's new clothes."

The incident drew numerous reactions on social media and condemnations from politicians and media figures. Eisenkot responded, stating, "Yinon Magal said I am a monkey operated by Ashkenazim, so I have nothing to answer at that level. The problem is not Yinon Magal but the person standing behind Yinon Magal. We will bring change to the country, remove the phenomenon of 'Magalism' and 'Bardugism' from our lives and bring a better country."

Guy Peleg, a legal affairs correspondent for Channel 12 News, also criticized Magal's remarks, calling them "base, pathetic racism" and "condescending patronizing." Peleg argued that Magal's comment was not a slip of the tongue but an example of "Bibism" in its "ugliness." He explained that Magal likely used the term "monkey" in a slang sense, implying Eisenkot was a manipulated, unintelligent figure used to hide the true orchestrators. Peleg added that this interpretation was more serious than a literal insult, suggesting it implied Eisenkot achieved his position solely due to his Moroccan heritage, disrespecting both him and the Mizrahi public.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Magal's statement as "very inappropriate." However, he also stated that he would be pleased if Eisenkot would condemn attacks against Likud members by businesswoman Galya Albin, noting that he himself is called a "traitor" and that Eisenkot does not condemn this. Peleg, who had previously sued Magal for libel, contrasted the two situations, arguing that Magal, unlike Albin, is a close confidant of the Prime Minister and acts as a conduit for his messages, making the comparison invalid.