Israeli Army Radio Sorry for ‘Cannibal’ Jibe Aimed at Ultra-Orthodox
Image by getty images
An Israeli public radio station apologized for airing offensive statements about Haredi Orthodox Jews.
In a satirical bit on Army Radio’s late night program, comedian Niv Majar recommended controlling overpopulation through cannibalism.
“We should go ahead and depopulate,” Majar said. “But there’s a paradox here because the people whose population I would like most to reduce are the Haredim, but they probably taste awful, bland.”
Army Radio host Noa Tzinman interjected, “They stink because they eat Matzah balls.”
On Friday, Army Radio released a statement which said the station “rejects offensive statements that were made about the Haredi public on Independence Day eve by a guest interviewee.”
The statements were “inappropriate and represent neither the station’s views nor its staff.” Army Radio apologized to anyone offended by the statements.
The statements, which come amid a heated debate in Israeli society on conscription of Haredi Jews into the Israel Defense Forces — Army Radio’s owner and operator – triggered protests online and at the radio station.
Earlier this week, activists for the lobby group Dosim showed at Army Radio’s Jaffa headquarters and handed out matzah balls to soldiers.
"Why I became the Forward’s Editor-in-Chief"
You are surely a friend of the Forward if you’re reading this. And so it’s with excitement and awe — of all that the Forward is, was, and will be — that I introduce myself to you as the Forward’s newest editor-in-chief.
And what a time to step into the leadership of this storied Jewish institution! For 129 years, the Forward has shaped and told the American Jewish story. I’m stepping in at an intense time for Jews the world over. We urgently need the Forward’s courageous, unflinching journalism — not only as a source of reliable information, but to provide inspiration, healing and hope.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
