Rivka Michaeli Slams Public Discourse on Arab Citizens
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
Entertainer Rivka Michaeli criticized the public discourse surrounding Arab citizens of Israel, calling it "madness" and defending their legitimacy. She made these remarks during an interview ahead of her upcoming tribute show in Tel Aviv. Michaeli also reflected on her long career, past interviews with public figures like Benjamin Netanyahu and Dana International, and expressed disdain for settlers in Judea and Samaria.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Rivka Michaeli criticized public discourse on Arab citizens, calling it "madness" and defending their legitimacy.
- Michaeli's tribute show "A Reason to Party" is scheduled for November 8 in Tel Aviv.
- She expressed disdain for settlers in Judea and Samaria, calling them "repulsive."
- The interview touched on her past encounters with figures like Benjamin Netanyahu and Dana International.
- Michaeli is also preparing for a new play at the Cameri Theater.
Entertainer Rivka Michaeli is preparing for a special tribute show titled "Rivka Michaeli - A Reason to Party," scheduled for November 8 at the Tel Aviv Heichal HaTarbut as part of the Tel Aviv Festival. In a recent interview on Kan News Radio, Michaeli discussed the upcoming show, her extensive career, and current affairs.
The tribute show will feature numerous artists, including Gabi Banai, Roy Bar Natan, Jimbo Jay, Yair Nitzani, Alon Eder, Gali Atari, Guiti Fischer, Shlomi Shaban, and Lior Schlein. Journalists Ilana Dayan and Carmela Menashe, who were among Michaeli's early TV interviewees, will also appear. Michaeli is also working on a new play, "Shalom Bayit," at the Cameri Theater. "I'm doing this with pleasure," she stated, adding, "I'm almost 90, but still thirsty for new experiences."
During the interview, archive clips from Michaeli's past interviews were played. She recalled discovering singer Margalit Tzanani at the Jaffa flea market and convincing singer Dana International to perform her hit "Dede Sultan" on television. Michaeli also shared her preference for pleasant interviews over confrontational ones, recalling her first interview with Benjamin Netanyahu when he was Israel's ambassador to the UN, which was based on the discovery of Kurt Waldheim's Nazi past.
When asked whom she would interview if she could choose anyone, living or dead, Michaeli chose director Woody Allen, expressing a wish to play a maid in one of his films. Reflecting on the current political climate, she paraphrased Hanoch Levin, saying, "In London, despair is more comfortable."
Michaeli strongly criticized the public discourse regarding Arab citizens of Israel. "It infuriates me," she said. "20% of the population, imagine if Jews were treated this way. Arab-Israelis are wonderful. You meet them in hospitals, pharmacies, taxis. They are human beings, they are good people. Why must we push them and say they are not legitimate? What kind of madness is this?" She added, "You know who is repulsive to me? All the rioters in Judea and Samaria. They should be avoided, fled from, and condemned."