Natan Zehavi Celebrates 80th Birthday: From Fisherman to Radio Icon
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Veteran Israeli journalist and radio broadcaster Natan Zehavi is celebrating his 80th birthday. Known for his direct style and iconic slogan "Corrupt, you've had enough!", Zehavi began his career as a photojournalist and later worked as a fisherman and Galei Tzahal correspondent in Sinai. He also had a notable acting career and received the Sokolov Prize for his social activism.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Natan Zehavi, a prominent Israeli journalist and broadcaster, is celebrating his 80th birthday.
- He is famous for coining the slogan "Corrupt, you've had enough!" in 1990.
- Zehavi worked as a fisherman and radio correspondent in Sinai between 1977 and 1982.
- He has an extensive acting career in Israeli film and television.
- Zehavi received the Sokolov Prize for his social advocacy for vulnerable populations.
Veteran Israeli journalist, publicist, and radio broadcaster Natan Zehavi is celebrating his 80th birthday. Known for his booming voice and direct, uninhibited style, Zehavi has been a prominent, sharp, and often controversial public figure for decades. He is particularly recognized for his long-running radio show "Zehavi Anarghy" on 103FM and is a recipient of the Sokolov Journalism Prize. His life story includes a diverse range of experiences.
Zehavi, who describes his education as "Mediterranean," began his media career at 15 as a photojournalist and sports writer. By 17, he was working for the influential weekly "Haolam Hazeh," founded by Uri Avnery, where his journalistic audacity became apparent. He also engaged in heated debates with Knesset guards.
In 1990, amidst a political crisis known as "The Smelly Maneuver," Zehavi coined the iconic slogan "Corrupt, you've had enough!" ("מושחתים נמאסתם!"). Initially appearing as a front-page ad in the "Hadashot" newspaper, the phrase quickly became a widespread protest cry, deeply embedding itself in Israeli culture and political discourse.
Between 1977 and 1982, Zehavi lived in Ophira (Sharm El Sheikh) in southern Sinai, where he supported himself as a fisherman while also serving as a correspondent for Galei Tzahal (Army Radio). He was among the last to be evacuated from the town following the Israel-Egypt peace treaty.
Beyond his media career, Zehavi has had a notable presence in film and television. He wrote the screenplay for the 1984 film "Pressure," created and appeared in "The Chain," acted in series like "Deep Blue" and "Late Night Stories," and played Shlomo, the garage owner, in the hit drama "Esfoor." He also lent his voice to the animated film "The Incredibles."
Despite his often fiery on-air persona, Zehavi has dedicated significant effort to social causes, advocating for Holocaust survivors, the elderly, disabled individuals, and the underprivileged. In 2000, he received the prestigious Sokolov Prize for his societal contributions and was honored by the organization "Bizchut" in the Knesset for his unwavering support of people with disabilities.