Shi Golden Criticizes Avishai Ben-Haim's Stance on Netanyahu

News anchor Shi Golden has sharply criticized journalist Dr. Avishai Ben-Haim, who recently moved from Channel 13 to Channel 14 and joined the panel of the program "HaPatriotim." Golden, who made the opposite career move, accused Ben-Haim of misinterpreting events related to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and presenting them as evidence of the premier's greatness. Golden specifically targeted Ben-Haim's commentary on Netanyahu, questioning how a "privileged Ashkenazi from upscale Jerusalem" could be portrayed as the greatest victim in Israel, especially when discussing Mizrahi (Eastern) identity. Golden argued that Netanyahu is the one who is arrogant, not the victim. He drew a parallel between the treatment of Netanyahu and former minister Gadi Eisenkot, noting the irony that Eisenkot, whose parents were Moroccan and who himself experienced racism, is sometimes depicted as representing "arrogant Ashkenazim," while Netanyahu is seen as championing the Mizrahi cause. Golden warned Ben-Haim that Netanyahu is a cynic exploiting his ideology and passion for political gain, stating that both Ben-Haim and Golden himself have been used by the Prime Minister. Ben-Haim, known for his academic work on Israeli society and his book "The Second Israel," which discusses the suppression of the traditional Mizrahi public by the old elite, has defended his views by referencing Antonio Gramsci's theory of cultural hegemony. He stated he is merely presenting an existing social reality. Ben-Haim had been absent from television during his reserve duty in the Iron Swords War before joining Channel 14.