Larry David on How to Solve the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
Courtesy of HBO
The more Larry David pushes the envelope, the more his fans love him — and the more fans he seems to attract. That could help to explain the ratings bump for the July 24 installment of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” in which David mines the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for laughs.
The episode, the highest-rated of the season so far, is called “Palestinian Chicken,” and focuses on the relationship between Larry and Shara, the owner of a Palestinian eatery called Al Abbas.
In keeping with his persona, David turns out to be less than an ardent Zionist, and finds Shara’s hostility toward Israel appealing. “You’re always attracted to someone who doesn’t want you,” he remarks. “Well, here you have someone who not only doesn’t want you, but doesn’t even acknowledge your right to exist, who wants your destruction. That’s a turn-on.”
The episode continues with a turf war between Goldblatt’s Deli and a second Al Abbas location opening nearby. David observes — correctly, it turns out — that a Palestinian eatery could be a good date spot for a Jewish adulterer, since other Jews are unlikely to see him there.
Some Israel lovers will find “Palestinian Chicken” distasteful, but it’s a hit among David’s fans. Whether it lives on like his survivor/”Survivor” episode remains to be seen.
Watch a scene from ‘Palestinian Chicken’:
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
