Channel 14 Hosts' Gaza Floods Joke Sparks Outrage, Media Debate
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Israeli media personalities are clashing over a Channel 14 segment where hosts joked about flooding in Gaza. On Channel 13, Raviv Drucker and guests strongly condemned the jokes as cruel. Journalist Raz Barakay stated the hosts represent "53 mandates," reflecting public sentiment. Channel 14 accused Channel 13 of hypocrisy, citing their alleged disregard for October 7th events and hostage situation.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Channel 14 hosts joked about Gaza flooding, sparking outrage and a media debate.
- Raviv Drucker on Channel 13 called the Channel 14 segment "disgusting" and "cruel."
- Journalist Raz Barakay claimed the Channel 14 hosts represent "53 mandates" of public support.
- Channel 14 accused Channel 13 of hypocrisy and ignoring October 7th events.
- Former MK Emily Moatti called the Channel 14 hosts' behavior "abhorrent and vile."
A media storm erupted following a segment on Israel's Channel 14, where hosts Noam Fathi and Shai Goldstein joked about the flooding in Gaza. The segment, broadcast on their show "Fathi and Shai," featured images of flooded tents in Gaza accompanied by the song "Rain, Rain Drizzling." Fathi expressed shame for choosing the song, while Goldstein suggested Gazans should "utilize resources" like water and build a water park. Fathi added "Gaza Luna" and joked about a water slide.
On Sunday evening, the controversy was addressed on Channel 13's program "Zonetבחירה" (Choice Zone), hosted by Raviv Drucker. Drucker strongly condemned the Channel 14 segment, calling it "one of the most disgusting clips I've ever seen." He criticized the hosts for making jokes about people suffering from freezing temperatures, destroyed lives, and lack of basic necessities, stating, "How much cruelty, how much evil." Drucker argued that the segment did not represent all Israelis and criticized the Second Authority for Television and Radio for not demanding explanations from Channel 14, as well as the Israeli government for not prioritizing humanitarian aid to Gaza.
During the Channel 13 discussion, journalist Raz Barakay remarked that the Channel 14 hosts represent "53 mandates" and that "the majority of the public that voted for right-wing parties sees this and is happy." Former Knesset member Emily Moatti expressed shock, calling the behavior "abhorrent and vile" and questioning how Israelis can be cruel to their neighbors and then complain about negative international perceptions.
Channel 14 responded to the criticism, publishing a statement titled "The Disgusting Hypocrisy of Channel 13." They accused Drucker's panel of hypocrisy for focusing on their segment while allegedly ignoring celebrations in Gaza on October 7th and the hiding of hostages by civilians. The statement implied that the Channel 13 hosts forgot about these events when discussing the suffering in Gaza.
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