Eli Ohana gets into an unusual confrontation because of Channel 12: "You are a zero"
Eli Ohana arrived in Bnei Brak together with Barak Sari as part of filming for their program. Alongside a warm welcome from those who remembered his youth at Beitar, there were those who shouted harsh insults. Ohana lost his composure: "I come from a home no less religious than yours, you are a zero" | All the details
Eli Ohana, one of the greatest football players in Israel and a former star of Beitar Jerusalem, has reinvented himself in recent years as a prominent media personality, moving between the television studios of Keshet 12 and the 103FM radio station. Much like his football career, the transition to the world of journalism and broadcasting often brings with it friction and sharp criticism.
During a visit by Ohana to Bnei Brak, which took place as part of filming a segment for his program "Ohana, Ofira and Sari" alongside Barak Sari, the two sought to hear the views of the ultra-Orthodox public on burning issues in Israeli politics ahead of the upcoming elections. Alongside many of the city's residents who welcomed the former star warmly and reminded him of his great days on the football pitch, his current affiliation with Channel 12 also sparked a sharp wave of hostility.
"Get out of here," "Go away," "Abomination," and "Channel 12 should be thrown out" were just some of the verbal attacks directed at Ohana, Sari, and the film crew. Ohana was quick to respond to the critics: "I'll tell you what, I broadcast on 12 and I share your views. We need to voice our opinions everywhere."
Tempers in the city flared even further when a young ultra-Orthodox man burst out at the TV presenter and accused him firmly: "How do you share his views? You are against religion and he is for religion, you are for buses on Shabbat."
These accusations managed to make Ohana lose his composure. In footage from the scene, the former football star is seen reacting with anger: "I come from a home that is no less religious than yours." The young man did not back down, and Ohana responded angrily: "I am observant, of course I am observant."
As the argument continued to escalate and the young man continued to disparage the presenter, Ohana approached him and said in his ear words that sound in the video like:
"We are observant, you are a zero."
Alongside the drama, the visit to Bnei Brak also provided a lighter moment, when Ohana met the right-wing activist Mordechai David. The former star gave him a friendly pat and seemed quite amused by the commotion and the storm that had been created around him on the street. Mordechai went further and said that if it weren't for Ohana, he probably would have blocked the channel that had come to film in his hometown.
