Benjamin Netanyahu is furious at rumors spread against him: "It outraged me and my family"
In an interview with media consultant Avi Shushan, the Prime Minister addressed accusations of paternalism and arrogance, responded jokingly to a question about a genetic test, and delivered a firm message against what he called "propaganda channels."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was a guest on the podcast "Hakol Patuach" (Everything is Open), hosted by Avi Shushan. During the interview, he addressed criticism directed at him and his family, alleging they look down on members of the Mizrahi communities, despite the fact that a significant portion of them constitutes his electoral support base.
During the conversation, Shushan posed a question that often occupies the political and media arena: "Bardugo says that you are the first Mizrahi Prime Minister. Dudi Amsalem sat here and said: 'Netanyahu is a hardcore Ashkenazi.' What do you say?". Netanyahu was quick to reply with a smile: "Look, according to a genetic test that someone did, I have some percentage."
Later, Shushan shared the harsh reactions he receives from supporters of the left-wing camp: "Many times they tell me 'you are a slave' because I am a right-wing supporter and a Netanyahu supporter. As if the Mizrahim are slaves if they support you."
Netanyahu condemned these statements:
"Well, that is paternalism and arrogance. I actually encounter intellectual independence in the public that supports me. They don't buy what they try to fool them with on these propaganda channels. They understand very well."
The Prime Minister rejected claims that his family hates or despises Mizrahim:
"That's one of the lies they make. They will lie about everything. Pay attention, I look for capabilities. I appointed David Zini as head of the Shin Bet because I thought he was the most suitable for it. I appointed Roman Gofman, who is from the Russian-speaking community, because I thought he was the most suitable. I didn't say: 'Oh, he is such and such.' It just angers me to the core. You are disqualifying half the people. How dare you disqualify half the people? What is this arrogance? Excuse the expression, but who are you?"
Later in the interview, Netanyahu was asked if he thinks there is still ethnic discrimination in Israel:
"There is condescension, and this condescension is outrageous. I am for all the tribes of Israel. I don't boycott anyone because of their community, and I don't despise them because of the opinions they hold. It angers me; it has always angered me. It angered my family, my brothers, my parents, and especially my mother."
