Israel At War: Week IV - with Muli Segev & Simon Sebag Montefiore
Nov 3, 2023
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Muli Segev, creator of Eretz Nehederet, discusses the role of satire during wartime. Simon Sebag Montefiore talks about the misconceptions of the Israel-Palestine conflict. The podcast also touches on the political dynamics, international pressure, and volunteer efforts in Israel. It explores the use of humor as a coping mechanism during traumatic events, and the conflict between satire and the woke movement. Jewish comedians' identity crisis is also discussed.
Erzne derit, Israel's number one satirical program, continued to air during a time of conflict, using comedy to provide relief and normalcy.
Erzne derit serves as a coping mechanism for Israelis, allowing them to find humor and resilience in times of tragedy.
The show balances addressing political issues while also satirizing external entities to avoid further division within the country.
Deep dives
Using Comedy in Times of Trauma
Erzne derit, Israel's number one satirical program, returned to the airwaves during a time of heightened tension and conflict. The show's creators believe in the power of laughter and comedy to provide a sense of relief and normalcy during difficult times. While the focus of the show was shifted away from politics due to the ongoing conflict, they did include one skit that satirized Prime Minister Netanyahu's handling of the situation. The show's decision to continue airing despite the circumstances was met with both praise and criticism, but they felt that providing a temporary escape through comedy was important for the mental well-being of the audience.
The Role of Satire in Israeli Society
Erzne derit, often described as Israel's Saturday Night Live, has been a longstanding and popular show in the country. It has served as a source of national unity and resilience, allowing Israelis to find humor even in times of tragedy. The show's creators believe that comedy and satire can help process fears, anxieties, and grief, serving as a coping mechanism for the nation. While there are debates about the timing and appropriateness of some skits, Erzne derit continues to find a balance between addressing current events and providing much-needed comic relief.
Satire and Political Comment
Erzne derit has a history of being critical of the Israeli government and addressing political issues. However, during times of heightened conflict and trauma, the show shifted its focus away from politics and towards providing a break from the news cycle. The decision to satirize external entities, such as the BBC and Greta Thunberg, allowed the show to address biases and perceptions from the outside world, while also avoiding further division within the country. Finding this balance between internal and external targets for satire is crucial for the show's success and effectiveness.
Satire and the Woke Movement
Erzne derit and its creators feel that the woke movement has castrated comedians and suppressed free expression. They believe that the movement's inability to take a joke and its demand for absolute political correctness hinder the ability of comedians to provide social commentary and critique. Satire, at its core, challenges authority and pushes boundaries, and the fear of offending someone has stifled this form of expression. The show's controversial skits and engagement with figures like Gary Lineker highlight the tensions between satire and the woke movement.
The Changing Mood and Role of Comedy in Israel
Israel's collective trauma and the ongoing conflict have left the nation in a melancholic state. Comedy and satire, including shows like Erzne derit, play an important role in processing these emotions and providing moments of relief. The show's return during a time of crisis reflects the resilience and ability of Israelis to find humor in even the most difficult situations. By addressing the forces that influence perceptions of Israel and highlighting biases, Erzne derit continues to serve as a source of unity and commentary in Israeli society.
The war intensifies with Israel’s ground incursion into Gaza, a Palestinian death toll now estimated to be above 8,000 and still no word on the 240 Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Yonit and Jonathan discuss Benjamin Netanyahu’s tweeted – and then deleted - attempt to divert the blame for Israel’s vulnerability on 7 October to others, the increasing US pressure on Israel over its conduct of the war and the phenomenal volunteer movement that has reshaped Israeli civil society in a matter of weeks. Plus: they talk to Muli Segev, the man behind Eretz Nehederet, the acclaimed TV satire show which has become essential viewing for Israelis, even at a time of war – and to award-winning historian Simon Sebag Montefiore, on why “decolonisation” theory gets the Israel-Palestine conflict so badly wrong.