Amit Segal's 2021 Tweet Criticizing "Eretz Nehederet" Resurfaces Amidst Racism Debate
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Political commentator Amit Segal's 2021 tweet criticizing "Eretz Nehederet" for stereotyping Mizrahi figures has resurfaced. Segal's tweet, which sarcastically depicted a Mizrahi character as a monkey next to a banana, is being discussed in light of recent remarks by Yinon Magal calling Gadi Eisenkot a "monkey." Magal later clarified his statement, but it drew condemnation from Prime Minister Netanyahu. The resurfaced tweet highlights past accusations of ethnic bias in the satirical show.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Amit Segal's 2021 tweet criticizing "Eretz Nehederet" for portraying a Mizrahi figure as a monkey has resurfaced.
- The tweet gained attention following Yinon Magal's controversial "monkey" comment about Gadi Eisenkot.
- Segal accused "Eretz Nehederet" of perpetuating demeaning stereotypes of Mizrahi individuals.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Magal's remarks, while Aryeh Deri defended him.
- The resurfaced tweet brings renewed focus to past accusations of ethnic bias in the satirical show.
A 2021 tweet by Channel 12 political commentator Amit Segal, criticizing the satirical show "Eretz Nehederet" for its portrayal of Mizrahi (Middle Eastern Jewish) figures, has resurfaced amid a public debate over racism. The tweet, which gained renewed attention following controversial remarks by "The Patriots" host Yinon Magal about Gadi Eisenkot, highlighted a sketch where actor Eli Finis portrayed the late Uzi Cohen, a Mizrahi figure and former Likud official. Segal sarcastically captioned a picture of the portrayal next to a banana, "The presenter is Mizrahi and will therefore be presented as a monkey."
Segal's 2021 criticism extended beyond this specific sketch, accusing the show of perpetuating demeaning stereotypes of Mizrahi individuals and calling it "the last bastion of Ashkenazi-ness." This led to a public confrontation with the show's creator, Mooli Shagav. Segal also claimed at the time that the show's executives had approached the management of Keshet (the broadcasting network) regarding his political statements on air, though these claims remained unproven.
The resurfaced tweet comes after Yinon Magal described Eisenkot, a candidate for prime minister, as a "monkey" controlled by "elitist Ashkenazim." Magal later clarified that he used the term "monkey" to mean a figurehead, not as a racial slur. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Magal's remarks, while Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri defended Magal, suggesting his words were taken out of context.
The portrayal of Uzi Cohen by Eli Finis was a well-known and exaggerated impression that became a hit in the early seasons of "Eretz Nehederet" over two decades ago. The sketch is now back in public discourse due to Segal's old tweet, which has been amplified by the current controversy surrounding Magal's comments.