Ben-Gvir Defends Magal Amid Racism Storm, Questions Channel 14 Airtime

Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir defended Channel 14 host Yinon Magal against accusations of racism during an interview on Wednesday with Yinon Magal and Ron Kofman on 103FM.

The controversy, dubbed the "Monkey Storm," erupted after Magal referred to former IDF Chief of Staff and Yahad party chairman Gadi Eisenkot as a "monkey" during his program "The Patriots." Magal claimed Eisenkot was being used as a puppet by "elitist Ashkenazi" figures behind the scenes. Magal's remarks, particularly the use of the word "monkey" in reference to Eisenkot, who is of Moroccan descent, drew sharp criticism, with opponents accusing Magal of racism and comparing his comments to a past political slur.

Magal, however, argued his words were taken out of context, explaining that "monkey" in his usage referred to a strawman in criminal slang, not Eisenkot's ethnicity or appearance. Eisenkot rejected Magal's explanation, calling it "sub-standard" and also criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

During the interview, Ben-Gvir stated, "I have disagreements with Yinon, and you see it on air. I have never heard him say such things about him; to say these things about him is just wickedness." He added, "Eisenkot, all sorts of millionaires put him in front. To say about him that he is racist? There is no one who brought more Mizrahim [Jews from Middle Eastern and North African countries] than him to broadcast."

Ben-Gvir also raised a separate issue, questioning why representatives from his Otzma Yehudit party were not invited to appear on Magal's program, "The Patriots." "You never invited us to The Patriots, what happened? Only Bibi?" Ben-Gvir asked Magal, to which Magal humorously replied, "I didn't invite Bibi, he came on his own."

The exchange highlights potential tensions within the right-wing bloc, where Magal is seen as supporting Netanyahu and coalition stability, sometimes criticizing Ben-Gvir's confrontational approach. Ben-Gvir's defense of Magal was coupled with his demand for more airtime for his party.