Israeli Journalist Avri Gilad Apologizes to Petah Tikva Residents for Controversial Column

Israeli journalist and TV host Avri Gilad issued a public apology to the residents of Petah Tikva following backlash over remarks he made in his weekly column in Israel Hayom. Last week, Gilad commented on the behavior of Israeli tourists in Thailand, suggesting they should move to Petah Tikva to avoid tarnishing Israel's reputation abroad. This statement sparked angry responses from the city's residents.

In his latest column, Gilad clarified that his use of Petah Tikva's name was intended as humor, not offense. He referenced a similar playful use of the city's name in a poem by Dan Almagor and expressed admiration for Petah Tikva, calling it a wonderful and developing city. Gilad apologized directly, saying, "Forgive me, I have sinned against you, residents of Petah Tikva."

He concluded his apology with a humorous note, retracting the original comment and replacing Petah Tikva with "Maale Yissachar," a fictional place still under development. Gilad also hinted at possibly moving to Petah Tikva in the future, emphasizing his respect for the city.